Donna Bennett, 43, from Norley Hall in Wigan, experienced long-standing challenges with alcohol addiction and mental health. As a mother, this often led to repeated involvement with social services, with cycles of crisis impacting her and her family.
When her children were at risk of entering care, Wigan’s early help team supported Donna to volunteer at Fur Clemt, a local food waste charity and key community partner. The aim was to help her build routine, improve her wellbeing, and develop supportive relationships.
Five years on, Donna’s journey has been transformational. She said: “I love it because they helped me get my life back on track in a big way. The alcohol abuse was hard. I never had a routine in my life since being little. I didn’t have a good upbringing. Fur Clemt has given me a sense of family life. They make me feel so welcome, they listen, and they are the family I never had. I’m really proud of how far I’ve come.”
Donna has since moved into paid employment at Fur Clemt and is now a valued member of the team. She added: “My mental health has improved so much since being here. I’ve come off support from recovery services and psychiatry, I’ve just blossomed. My relationship with my children is great now because I’m learning what family life looks like. I’m happy, settled, and it has broken the cycle for me."
Donna’s progress has also had a wider impact, helping to create a more stable and positive environment for her children and showing how the right support at the right time can help people build on their strengths and move forward.
Analysis by the council estimates that Donna’s journey has resulted in around £159,683 per year in savings to the public purse, including avoided costs linked to children’s social care, alcohol recovery services, and NHS mental health provision.