Mother of Six Faces Challenges in Cramped Living Conditions

A mother from Stoke-on-Trent is struggling to care for her six children in a cramped three-bedroom council house. Ewelina Ciuruk, 35, has taken on the responsibility of raising her three children alongside her sister’s three after her sister returned to Poland. This significant change has pushed Ewelina to leave her job at Fuchs Lubricants, where she worked for eight years, due to the overwhelming stress of balancing work and childcare.

Ewelina shared her feelings of uncertainty regarding her financial situation, particularly her Universal Credit benefits. She explained, “After I brought the kids back with me from Poland, I carried on there for a few months. But it ended up being too much for me. I tried my best but I ended up having to leave because of all the stress and anxiety.” Now, she is navigating the complexities of being the legal guardian of her sister’s children, which complicates her eligibility for support.

Currently out of work and without a vehicle, Ewelina has launched a fundraising campaign to raise £2,600 for a replacement nine-seater vehicle, as her previous one broke down. To date, she has raised only £430 towards her goal. “I am having issues with my Universal Credit. They don’t understand my employment situation,” she noted. This lack of clarity has led to further financial strain.

Ewelina has been in touch with social services, who have acknowledged the difficulties she faces. They confirmed that her situation with six children makes it impractical for her to seek employment, especially given the frequent calls from schools requiring her attention. “Employers don’t really want to take me on either because they can’t offer the flexibility I need,” she added.

Despite her efforts to find larger accommodation, Ewelina has faced delays in her application for a bigger house. “I’ve applied for a bigger house because there are seven of us living in this three-bedroom house. Everything’s stopped on that front. Nobody is contacting me about my application,” she expressed.

Living conditions are challenging, with Ewelina currently sharing a lounge with her youngest son while the other children share bedrooms. The family is also contending with just one bathroom, leading to complaints about space. “The rooms are small so sharing them is tough. A lot of our things are in boxes at the moment because we don’t have room to unpack them,” she explained.

A spokesperson for the council addressed the family’s situation, stating that the decision regarding the children’s placement was made in Poland, which limits the council’s ability to grant fostering status. “The city council is not legally able to grant fostering status in these circumstances as the decision was made outside of the UK,” they clarified. They also stated that Ewelina holds an active application on the housing register and emphasized the critical shortage of larger homes, which may leave families waiting for an extended period.

The community has been made aware of Ewelina’s situation, and she is hoping for support. Donations to her fundraising effort can be made online. Ewelina’s story highlights the ongoing challenges faced by families in need of adequate housing and support systems.