Redundancy was a shock I never saw coming. I'd worked for the same company for over 10 years, so I felt settled. One day I was secure in my career as a chemical engineer and the next, everything I’d worked for felt like it was slipping away. With a young family depending on me, the pressure felt overwhelming.  To make matters worse, I needed essential hip replacement surgery just as I was gearing up to find another job. The stability I’d built for us suddenly felt fragile.

Our financial situation became increasingly strained. With three children, the summer months can be a very expensive time. Outfitting them for the new school year adds up quickly, and I was worried about how we were going to do it.

I reached out to the Benevolent Fund. It was difficult to push myself to do it, as I've never approached a charity before. I wasn't sure if they could even help me. In the end, I realised I had nothing to lose by just asking them if I could apply. I shouldn't have hesitated. The application process was simple, and the people I spoke to were understanding and compassionate. They didn't judge me, just offered support and reassurance.

The charity provided us with a grant to buy new school uniforms for our three children, and a regular monthly grant for our living costs. The assistance couldn't have been timelier. It gave us the much-needed breathing space to focus on my recovery without the constant  of how we’d afford the basics. We’re now in a much better position to move forward as a family.

We're so grateful to the Benevolent Fund for everything they've done for us. I felt embarrassed when I first asked for help, but now I realise what a good decision that was. I'm proud to be part of the chemical engineering community and I'm looking forward to getting back to doing the work I love.

*Names have been changed to preserve confidentiality. The image used is stock photography.