Simon*, 18, is an only child whose parents lived on the periphery of the community but, nevertheless, gave him a modest Bar Mitzvah. However, shortly afterwards, their financial situation worsened when his father lost his job as a salesman and was unable to find other suitable employment. His mother had a low-paid job as a catering assistant and tensions within the family escalated when she, with resentment, became the breadwinner.
Simon had always had a fraught relationship with his parents as he had been repeatedly told that he was an unwanted child. Things deteriorated as his parents struggled to make ends meet, resulting in emotional abuse and heated arguments with threatened violence. Simon slipped into depression and struggled at his state school on account of his dyslexia and being bullied. His self esteem plummeted as he felt rejected by his own family.
One evening, Simon, then 16, reached breaking point and, following a
particularly bad row, left home and went to the police.
They referred him to Norwood when they heard he was Jewish and Norwood’s
Family Support Service arranged emergency accommodation in a refuge. They also
gave him money for food and clothing, as he was afraid to return home. He was
assigned a Social Worker who helped him gain control of his life and map out his
future. They counselled him to build his confidence so that he could return to
school and get a part-time job, whilst Binoh’s educational psychologists helped
him get extra time to complete his exams. He has now become interested in his
Jewish roots and will live in Jewish student accommodation when he goes to
university this autumn.
Simon wanted us to tell you his story because when he had no one to turn to, Norwood was there to provide him with the practical and emotional support he desperately needed.
He said: “Norwood rescued me from a very bleak situation for which I can’t thank them enough. I don’t know what would have happened to me without them, but now I
can look forward to a much brighter future.”
*identities have been changed to protect confidentiality
