Martin and Judy’s Story.

Please note this story contains references to suicide or self harm.

Riby in Lincolnshire is the kind of village that is often a picture of idyllic English country life, and Martin and Judy took advantage of all it had to offer: They were on good terms with neighbours, well-known at the local church and helped with the communal gardening in the area.

Last winter, their lives were turned upside down when they were forced to leave their home due to a change in landlord. When the previous owner died, Martin and Judy were forced out as the new landlord raised the rent beyond their means. Judy tells us how upset she was at having to leave after spending the last five years doing up the house and the garden, turning it “from wrack and ruin to a lovely home.”

With Judy’s mobility issues and Martin’s ill-health, the couple took early retirement, meaning they couldn’t expand their income to move or cover more rent.

“We’d tried the council for property and we’d tried numerous private landlords, but none of them worked out. The rents were either way above our ability or they didn’t want any dogs or DSS [Department of Social Security] payments. We were just coming up against a stone wall and as the eviction date was coming closer, I thought ‘well, I’m from Wales and I don’t know anyone in the area’, and I just felt suddenly lost.”

Left with no other choice, they were forced to move into a friend’s towing caravan, which didn’t have heating or water. They also had to quickly sell all their belongings in order to downsize, and in the process of the move had of their sentimental items stolen.

Judy recalls that these months were the lowest point in her life, leading her to an attempted suicide.

That’s when the couple were provided with temporary accommodation in Gainsborough through P3. Martin recalls that “suddenly we had somewhere to go, and it was a massive sigh of relief. The little things in life which normally you take for granted, like free access to a toilet – unless you’ve been in a position where you don’t have that…it’s a terrible situation to be in.”

P3 supported the couple on their journey to permanent housing, bringing them back into Riby where they are surrounded by their community.

The couple feel like they “have got [their] self-respect back”. The support provided by P3 allowed them an opportunity to rebuild their independence and practical support surrounding the move.

They are looking forward to their future: Martin is keen to get back into church, and Judy is looking forward to truly making their new house, their own.