Fred and Andie were able to access much-needed support after being given mobile phones.
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Having a mobile phone has been life-changing
Fred and Andie met each other in their late 60s. Fred had struggled with his mental health since his early twenties and Andie had only recently been given the prognosis of early on-set dementia.
After the couple moved into Andie’s rental property her dementia became progressively worse. Due to her illness, she miscalculated her spending and stopped paying the rent, council tax and other bills on time.
Andie’s deteriorating condition also triggered a decline in Fred’s mental health and to cope he turned to alcohol.
Fred and Andie were then evicted from their home and ended up sleeping rough together in a tent in an underpass in Sheffield. They were regularly moved on from one underpass to another, making it difficult for Framework to track them down.
It was vital for Andie to receive urgent medical treatment and for them both to have safe accommodation, but neither Fred or Andie had a mobile phone, so Framework’s Street Outreach Team had to rely on messages from the general public to locate the couple’s whereabouts.
More recently, Framework’s Street Outreach Team located the couple and provided them both with a mobile phone. Having regular contact with both Fred and Andie has enabled Framework staff to get Andie the medical treatment she needs, and to refer Fred to an addiction support service.
Whilst the couple are now receiving the treatment they need, Framework support staff are making arrangements for them to have their own private rental accommodation. With both Fred and Andie now having a mobile phone, it is much easier to keep in touch and arrange appropriate (and essential) support.
We are aiming to provide mobile phones and internet access for those we support as part of our Lifeline Appeal. Please donate here if you can, and make a difference that could literally save the life of someone who is sleeping rough.
