William’s Story – Save A Life
Old age hasn't been as graceful as it should have been. Back in January 2020 I wasn't feeling too good. Nothing you could really put your finger on. I just had no energy. I couldn't be bothered to do anything. There was nothing I could go to the doctor with and say, this is wrong. And that got worse and worse. It was getting to the stage where I couldn't even be bothered to make myself a slice of toast. I was probably weak from lack of food. Living on your own with nobody to come after you, it can happen quite easily. Then my caseworker, persuaded me to see the doctor.
By that time, I was in no fit state to get to the doctor. But my caseworker very kindly offered his services as a taxi and took me to the surgery. On getting there, the doctor refused to treat me. He said that I had to go to the hospital and get checked over properly. And again, my caseworker was superb, he took me to the hospital and got me to the people who needed to see me. Perhaps needless to say, I didn't come out of the hospital. They wouldn't let me go home.
Whilst in the hospital, my caseworker would come and visit, bringing things like apple juice. You don't get many luxuries when you're in a hospital. I think I was there for 10 days, connected to an intravenous drip of antibiotics. When you're just lying in bed with tubes in your arm, it’s not a very pleasant existence. It was good to have my caseworker calling to visit from time to time. His intervention probably saved my life. So thank you to my caseworker and the Elmore team.
I've had two caseworkers at Elmore. And they've both been very good. Building up a rapport with one person, it's important. If you're changing from one worker to another, then it becomes meaningless. I'm very sorry that my support stopped. I think Elmore should do something to change their remit. I could still benefit from their support. Right now, I'm facing eviction. And that has probably come about because of the lack of support. If I'd had more support at the right time, then probably I wouldn't be facing eviction. It’s not worked out well over the last couple of years. But just having somebody who cares, somebody who knows you, in a time of crisis, can literally save your life.