Julie (46) is a single parent with six children. Her children range in age from nine years old to 20 and one of the younger boys has Downs. In September she enrolled as a student midwife.
“It’s pretty intense but I love it,” she says.
Julie was initially enrolled on her midwifery course a year ago. However, four days before the course was due to start her husband of 23 years left her. She had been a self employed interior designer for around five years but had given this up to retrain. Before that she had had five years of regular hospital visits with her son who was very ill when he was born.
When her husband left, she deferred the course for a year. But she had no work so she had to claim Universal Credit. Her ex husband gives her no financial support and has very little contact with the children.
“It’s so strange and really sad.”
“I come to the foodbank when I’m desperate,” she says. Cash flow can be a problem with Universal Credit. On her recent visit, Julie had another week to wait for her next payment. “So that’s why I’m here,” she says. “It’s a difficult time of year, the kids need shoes and winter coats.”
Julie is hopeful about the future though. She thinks qualifying as a midwife can only be a good thing. Although it’s very hard work, she says it’s good for her kids to see her studying. “And it’s so expensive living here so when I’m qualified we can move out of London.”