Welcome back x

Amidst the bloody lovely, civic minded decent people like you in the world I’m sure it won’t surprise you to learn that there are exploitative, manipulative, cynical people and groups that walk among us looking to take advantage of vulnerable people. We were heartbroken to learn of one such instance that our friend Rozi brought to our attention. It’s the story of a poor young women whose name we redacted who was taken advantage of and could really benefit from the milk or our collective kindness and feel the power of community and hopefully go some way to restore her faith in the kindness of others that must be, understandably shaken. Here’s Rozi’s nomination:

Hey there, hope everything is well amongst 500HQ - there's someone I'd love to help, if it feels right...

(redacted) became part of a cult in her 20s, living entirely in a protected insular world for about 25 years... the system there looked after her, but kept her living simply, away from the real world, and eventually turned out to be founded on lies and deception.

About 8 years ago now, all of the truth came out - and the community she had entrusted her entire life to fell apart. You can imagine it was shocking and hurtful, to discover the leaders you had served and believed were deliberately manipulating.

(Redacted)  emerged back into the world in a huge transition. Reeling from the dispersal of everything she'd known, and also totally unprepared for modern independent survival.

She did really well - but not long out of the cult she discovered she had breast cancer, and had to deal with medical intervention to fight and recover.

Not long after that was covid, and then (redacted’s) mum became ill and she took on the live-in caring for her dying mother. (Redacted) saw to all her mums needs, and nursed her at home as she was hemorrhaging.

Today, she is through and out-the-other side of all of those consecutive events, and trying to establish herself in the world of work and ordinary life. She's doing really well, and has been setting up a business, but I know for a fact she has no money - and has been selling her furniture and possessions in order to eat or pay rent. I've heard through her brother that she's down to her last £10, and I know she's already had to borrow some.

I feel sad that someone who is making so much effort and who has cared so much for others has to struggle so hard to get afloat. She's not making any fuss at all, but I imagine it must be quite scary to only have yourself to rely on, while trying to keep a home and set up a life for the first time as an adult in a strange world. If we can offer her anything that she doesn't have to pay back - just so she can eat or stay in her home for another month, I'd be so grateful.

Loads of love to you all and thank you for being part of our small group and helping cast a little light in the darkness.

Your 500 Reasons admin team x