Rent arrears caused by a direct debit error meant Tris suddenly had to find money she didn’t have. The stress and anxiety made her rethink whether to continue in her nursing role.

When Tris was young she was close to her Godmother who worked as a Medical Secretary in a local hospital. Visits to see her Godmother at work gave Tris her first glimpse of nursing.

“I was only about 5 or 6 years old when I was taken to visit her,” remembers Tris “and she’d introduce me to some of the nurses on the wards. I was fascinated by them and all the drips and thermometers. I also remember photos of me getting a nurse’s uniform for Christmas!”

Tris started nursing at eighteen, acquired experience in Health Visiting and gained a post graduate certificate in Specialist Community Public Health Nursing. Her current role is as a Family Partnership Nurse supporting younger first-time mothers in the community.

“I support the mums intensively through the first two years of their babies’ lives,” says Tris “I love the frontline nursing work and the human interaction.”

Tris juggles her busy community nursing role with being a lone parent and life can be fraught at times being able to pay all the bills and buy essentials for her and her daughter.

“The ongoing rise in living costs feels so constricting and doesn’t seem to be stopping,” says Tris “We’re all trying to constantly minimise our outgoings, it just feels out of control. As community nurses we have a lot of outlay in keeping a vehicle on the road for our work as well as trying to stay switched on for our patients. So with all of those money worries going on in the back of your mind, it can be very difficult at times staying focused.”

Unfortunately, the housing company Tris pays rent to made an error with her direct debit payments which went undetected for two months.

“This left me in arrears and suddenly I had to find two months’ rent,” recalls Tris, “It was their mistake and I should have noticed sooner, but I didn’t. The stress of being in arrears was terrifying!”

The worry and anxiety made Tris question her future as a nurse.

“I seriously thought about giving up nursing. I thought what is the point of working and having all this stress, would I be better off on benefits?”

Cavell had supported Tris in 2011 so she remembered the charity and applied for financial help with her arrears.

“I felt awkward applying for help,” says Tris “I felt guilty that they’d helped me before and I was asking again. But I thought that Cavell exists specifically to help nursing staff like me, so I went ahead with the application, but I certainly didn’t do it lightly. It was a really humbling experience.”

The Cavell Support team provided funds to help Tris not only clear her rent arrears, but also her stress and worry.

“The money helped a lot, I feel like I can breathe again, for a while anyway,” says Tris “But for me getting the support is a big validation for what us nurses contribute to our roles day to day. This has made me think that I must continue in my profession.

“My experience of the support felt a bit like a cuddle from other nurses, as Cavell is there for us all, supported by other nursing and midwifery professionals.

“Even though it was difficult to reach out for help, the morale boost I’ve got from receiving Cavell’s support has been massive, more important to me than the sum of money. It has stopped me from heading down a dark psychological hole.”

Tris is grateful that nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants and their employers are supporting colleagues throughout the UK through Cavell.

“As nurses we look after people all our lives and often we feel there isn’t anyone to look after us when things go wrong, so it’s touching that Cavell is there for us.

“I feel part of a sister and brotherhood, a sense of solidarity and connection, being part of a wider community, a group of professionals supporting each other through organisations like Cavell.”

She has a message for anyone thinking of donating or fundraising to support the nursing and midwifery family going through tough times.

“Go for it! Your money and efforts won’t be wasted. If you’ve had a positive experience from nursing or midwifery care, this is a way to pay that gratitude forward.”

Contact Cavell