Mum from Lewisham with mental health issues and baby ‘forced’ to move to Essex

“I am devastated,” she said. “Mentally I would be broken. I don’t drive and neither do my family. I would feel isolated in an area I don’t know.“

“It’s also the top floor of a high-rise. I would physically break down and have panic attacks. I can’t breathe around tall buildings.”

Annabel Mothee, 23, is mum to a six-month-old premature baby and must move from her temporary accommodation near Lewisham Hospital after the council informed her two weeks ago. The young mum has suffered from anxiety since being sexually assaulted as a teenager.

She told News Shopper that moving to Harlow in Essex would leave her isolated from mental health services and her parents and sister.

Annabel’s doctor wrote a letter on her behalf asking for Lewisham Council to provide emergency accommodation for her within the borough and that “to move this incredibly vulnerable and genuine young woman away from everything she knows” would put her at risk.
The mum is hoping to delay going to Essex another week by moving in with her mum and dad, despite them not having a spare room.

Her little boy has regular appointments at Lewisham Hospital because of his premature birth, which Annabel says is another reason why the move to Essex is unfair.
A Lewisham Council spokesperson said: “Whilst we cannot comment on individual cases, offering accommodation outside of London is never a decision that is taken lightly and we always consider an individual’s circumstances carefully before doing so.

“Due to the ongoing housing crisis, we no longer have enough temporary accommodation within the borough to meet demand. As a result, all offers of accommodation are made in line with our Location Priority Policy. This is to ensure that those with the greatest needs are given priority.”

Anyone suffering from mental health issues can call the Samaritans on 116 123, a line which is free 24 hours a day.