Separating after 28 years - support?

[Pinkladysolitude]

How can I separate from my partner of 28 years? I got with him when I was 19 and he 32. There was always a power imbalance. He is emotionally abusive and I can't bear to be with him anymore. He has worn away my self esteem over the years.
The teens want to stay with me. Neither of us have the money to live alone, except for him to share a house with someone (£800 all bills) or possibly a 1 bed (£950pm) place as renting is mental here.
I would like to avoid going through the domestic violence route if possible. I don't think he will go. I don't blame him.
I had a mental breakdown last month after years of struggling with my mental health.
I will call CAB tomorrow and seek their advice. I just don't know where to go or what my options are.
I don't know why I have written on here really. Perhaps if someone else had been through this. Thanks

Please contact Women's Aid for some help and support. They will be able to help you make a plan to leave and can give you information about housing and claiming any benefits when fleeing domestic abuse (it doesn't have to be physical - mental and emotional abuse is just as damaging)

There is help out there - please do reach out, you don't have to live like this and you deserve to be safe and happy. Sending hugs and strength to you and your children 🫂

https://womensaid.org.uk/information-support/

You will get benefits probably, UC & HB if you are renting. Citizens Advice can help you navigate this and through them council may also help to support you and there may be grants available too.

Have a look on turn2us to see what you may be entitled to.

Everything is so overwhelming.

I’ve been with my hubby 21yrs and I’m also thinking of leaving, so you are not alone although it’s a horrible lonely experience. I have nowhere I can go as don’t have much family/friends. I also have children which are dependent on me, and have SEN so I really don’t want to be the one that leaves. Going to try marraige conselling tomorrow then i don’t know, if that don’t work i don’t know what more I can do..

My situation is so similar. My children are also sen so disrupting their lives will have more of an impact. I feel terrible about it. I really wish I had left 10 years ago. It would have been easier for them. I do feel I wasted the last 10 years but I am trying to think more positively now. Things will be so much calmer, loving and free, free to live without him around. It is going to be hard but my mind is set. I have tried for decades and I am done. His behaviour is affecting my kids so that makes the decision easy. I won't have a pot to piss in. I have no idea how we can afford this.
Good luck pinkflamingobird

I am feeling quite mentally drained. I am trying to look forward to the future. To see the positive steps I am taking. I have managed to get more hours at work. I have filled in forms for social housing. I have helped my son with his PIP forms plus so much more. My daughter especially just wants out of this house. I do to. My partner is just being so awful to everyone that we can't continue like this for long. I am contacting a domestic violence charity tomorrow. I hate how disruptive this is for the kids especially with their sen needs. If it were just me I would have moved out and rented a room already. I know money can't make you happy and all that but at this point it would make it much easier to be able to rent a house now