Change of circumstances leaving me helpless

[Dmn28]

Hello,
Just a bit of a back story, in the early days of my pregnancy I was made redundant from work with only 2 weeks notice. I then found it impossible to find a new job in time before the baby arrived. Since then I have been finding it very difficult financially but somehow I've made it work and made ends meet. This month I have found it so incredibly hard. I don't have any family on call and hardly any support system close by. I'm at a complete loss, my child is running extremely low on formula and I fear by this evening he will be completely out. I have contacted food banks but have heard nothing back. Also all of them state they're not even open for another 2 days. This is a very embarrassing time for me right now and normally I wouldn't be putting my problems out there, but now I have a 6 month old child I have no choice. Please if anyone has any useful suggestions please send them my way! TIA

Where do you live?

I live in South East London

Contact your HV.

I would ring your health visitor and would be honest. She should sign post.

Speak to your Health Visitor?

Do ring your health visitor.

Oh dear prawny I'm sorry. Report the PM.

HV or GP.

All I said was I didn't appreciate your comment about begging as I've asked for nothing at all but advice.

So you've run out of milk tokens?

HV or SS should be able to issue you with more on an emergency basis.

HV will make sure you have formula for the baby.

Easiest and best option.

I agree with others. Speak to your HV.

Or try your local Sally Army;

www.salvationarmy.org.uk/emergency-assistance

Also, your local council is obliged to provide emergency assistance. Their website should have a page like this;

www.eastriding.gov.uk/living/emergency-assistance/

What about baby’s dad?

Speak to your HV or Gp who can offer a food bank voucher - in SE London at least two food banks I know of are open on Tuesdays. They won’t have formula though.

Prawn that seems a bit harsh?

maybe the OP is feeling desperate and asking for advice?

Hello everyone,

We've had a number of reports from people concerned about this thread so, as we usually do in these circs, we're putting our heads round the door with some important reminders.
Right now we can't see any evidence to indicate that the OP isn't above board – if we did, we'd remove the thread straight away. But the truth is that, sadly, we at MNHQ can't know with 100% certainty that any poster is genuine, no matter who they are or how long they have been here. As frustrating as it is, we're not able to vouch for anyone here.
So we always ask everyone to remember that not everyone on the internet is who they say they are – and remind folk not to give more to another poster, either financially (in cash or gifts) or emotionally (in time or care and support) than they'd be prepared to lose if things went wrong.
Sorry to hijack your thread briefly there, OP – we really hope you get it all sorted soon.

Ask the father for the money, it's his child too.

What do your friends and family, especially Grandparents think about your situation?

Most food banks can't give you anything without a referral. Your health visitor should be able to make a referral.

Contact your health visitor. You should have enough to live on if you're claiming everything you're entitled too and budgeting very carefully. But call your health visitor now and get some help.

Ask the father for the money, it's his child too.
This ^^

Where is the baby's father? Can you ask him for formula at least?

If your child will be completely out of food tonight, go to see your GP as an emergency or call your HV. They may be able to refer you to a food bank or maybe prescribe formula for you, depending on your NHS trust.

Call Christians Against Poverty. You don't have to be Christian. They can provide support in the long-term going forwards.

You say you don't have any support "close by" or "on call" but presumably there is some somewhere. Is there anyone you can borrow £20 off?