do I go back - not coping on my own

[rotool]

I have left emotionaly abusive relationship.
I went to a refuge in January. ex-p started court proceedings to get me back in the area so the children would return to their school and succeeded.
I moved in with a friend with my children whilst looking for a property. I have found a property and have tenancy agreement etc...I have no money as I lost my job when I left to go to the refuge. I have been turned down for a community grant. I get tax credits and have signed on at the job centre but get no money from ex-p and until financial hearing cannot get anything from the house. The new house is unfurnished and I can't move into it as have no beds,sofa etc.
Children have been spending the first part of the holidays with the dad and are coming back to me on Sunday expecting to be in the new house.
I can't stop crying, everything has gotten so hard.
When I went to the refuge I was told I would get so much help but there really is nothing out there.
I have swapped one crap life for another.
He wants me to go back, I don't know what to so, I don't feel as though I have much choice then to go back but I have spent 14 months trying to get away.

[scoobydooagain]

Can you ask school or any other agency you have contact with to apply to Buttle Trust for you for furnishings. Bethany also can help. Good luck.

[foolonthehill]

Stay strong...i think we "met before"....you will come out the other side of this.

[foolonthehill]

BESOM: look for one in your area...they will give a starter pack for a kitchen, curtains, some furniture and some actual real life people will help move stuff, gardening/ decorating etc. according to need.

www.besom.com

there is one in Basingstoke, Guildford and Oxford

[RowanMumsnet]

Hello

As some of you will know, we like to say on these threads that we do advise all our members to be aware that not everyone on t'internet is who they say they are, and that, although we're awed daily by the astonishing support our members give each other through life's trickier twists and turns, we'd always caution anyone never to give more of themselves to another poster, emotionally or financially, than they can afford to spare.

Hope things start to look up for you soon, rotool.

[AddictedtoCrunchies]

rotool I am in swindon. Tell me what you need.

I have bedding and towels that I can immediately produce and will help you find the rest.

[Crunchymunchyhoneycakes]

Just want to wish you well, too far away to offer practical help but sending positivity and good wishes your way. Things won't always be as hard as they are today, a day at a time things will get better.

[Loulybelle]

Starting from the ground up is scary, but starting with your, identity, dignity, and sense of worth, is invaluable.

Your starting again, but atleast what you build on will be yours and your DS's and no one elses.

There are shops, websites, try CAB, anything, get anything you can, you'll make it, just dont be afraid to seek it out.

[TimeForMeAndDD]

I've been where you are OP, I left refuge after four months with nothing, no job, no money, moving into a council house that could only be described as a disgusting hovel. Every single day I used to think about going back to my ex because what lay ahead seemed such a huge thing and impossible to achieve, but every single day I would also tell myself I would 'see how I feel tomorrow' because I knew going back to the abuse would be far worse, living in the hovel with nothing was temporary, it would get better with time and effort, going back to him would have been a life sentence.

Fast forward to now, exactly 3 years later, I have a lovely home, I have a job, a car and a very happy life with my DD. It's not been easy, it's been a bloody hard slog and even I don't know where I found the strength that got me where I am today but I did it, and you can do it too.

Contact your refuge and ask for the floating support that they offer after you leave refuge. Also ask about the Frank Buttle trust who give families in crisis a grant. I got a cooker from them, my refuge sorted all that out for me. Everything else I needed I got as I went along, it took a while but I got there in the end. It's not been easy by any means but bloody hell it's been worth it. Try not to think of the hill you have to climb, just start climbing it, because climbing that hill will lead you to a much better life than going back to your abusive ex.

[moonabove]

Just wanted to say how much I admire you for having the guts to get out. It's only natural to find this phase hard but it won't be forever - in a while you will have made a comfortable loving new home for you and the dc.

Staying with your ex will be a much more long-term misery - what a complete bastard to watch you struggle and try to manipulate you to come back, you were so right to leave him.

Very best luck to you

[Lovingfreedom]

Wow...Good thread. OP you see how many people are rooting for you and offering help. Good luck. You can do it!

[ljny]

wanted to bump and tell you how brave you are. Your boys are so lucky to have you
^

Too far away to help. wish I were closer. Don't go back, your ex is a pile of shit - sitting in his comfy house while you and the children struggle. Shows what he's like. Hang on in there, honey, this is a bumpy patch - you and the kids will have such a better life without him.

[anonacfr]

Same as Teeny but wanted to bump and tell you how brave you are. Your boys are so lucky to have you.

[TeenyW123]

Just bumping. Can't help, sorry. X

Teeny

[Kat101]

I am 45 mins away. We have a coffee table going spare. Might have 2 airbeds also. Def have spare towels going free. There is a charity called The Besom based in Witney that will furnish an empty house for you free, try them - they might do or know who covers your area. Citizens Advice Bureau definitely - no-one gets any money first try any more, but the vast majority of appeals are a success. They also have emergency food parcels.

You are not at rock bottom, you are on the way up. Rock bottom was being trapped with an EA man. You have options to start building a better life. It will get better.

[BrunellaPommelhorse]

Also. Contact your local active church. They'll have loads of help.

[BrunellaPommelhorse]

Op I often have nice boys clothes I can post. I have three sons..!
If you dm me your address we are due a sort out. Are fashionable often barely worn.
I normally iron and pop to the local refuge.

[samsonthecat]

I have a kitchen table and some chairs if you would like them. I'm in Malvern but I'd be happy to drive them down to you. How old are your dc? I may also have some toys depending on their ages.
You can do this, you have the power of mumsnet behind you. My decree absolute came last week and I promise that looking back at how hard it was it really is worth it. I am happier now than I have ever been and my dc have a happy mum.
Pm me if you would like the things and good luck :)

[Chooster]

If you are still on here rotool pm me with your details. I have boys around the age of yours and have toys from a clear out and can send to you

[CogitoErgoSometimes]

"He's carrying on his life and I have nothing."

You have your freedom. It's tough going and you'll need to dig deep in the face of this onslaught of bullying he's subjecting you to, but he can't take that away. Be strong.... demand help from agencies, call in favours, use every bit of your resourcefulness to get over this temporary hurdle. When you do, you'll gain such confidence from the experience. There will be nothing you can't tackle in future. Whatever you do, don't give in to the bully.

Good luck

[maleview70]

"he has everything and I have nothing"

This is not correct at all.

He doesn't have everything because he doesn't have you!

You have one thing that is more important than all the possessions and money in the world.....freedom from abuse.

Goig back to him involves sleeping with him again.....could you really face sleeping with a man you can't stand?

Stay strong and the good times will come again!

[Bossybritches22]

Another one wishing you luck.

Ignore his calls. Keep any comms between you to minimum& about the kids.

The rest will get sorted you'll be amazed what folks have that they don't want to dump but can't sell. Try freecycle in several areas don't buy unless you absolutely have to.

Keep posting for support ....you can do it!

[Alwayscheerful]

Bump. We will all help.

[baskingseals]

rotool - you've nearly nearly done it. keep going. look forward.
and bloody well done for getting out it the first place.

wishing you all the good things.

[verity07]

A list sounds like a good start.

I found this facebook site For free, Sale or Wanted that's the Cirecencester one but there's a Swindon one too. Over a 1000 members on each so hope that's useful.