November 7th 2024.
Sandra Eshemokai Odufaderin sat across from her work coach, Abigail Joseph-Spence, as she recounted her terrifying story of surviving an abusive relationship. At 42 years old, Sandra had endured 14 years of physical and emotional abuse from her ex-husband, which had left her with mental health struggles and PTSD. She now bravely shared her journey of escape and advocacy, hoping to inspire others in similar situations.
Sandra, who currently resides in north London, revealed that the abuse had started back in her home country of Nigeria. She was regularly beaten by her husband and during the lockdown, he broke her arm with a piece of wood. When she went to the local police for help, she was met with dismissive and damaging comments about a woman's role in a marriage.
The abuse only escalated when the family moved to the UK three years ago. Sandra had been looking for a way out of the marriage but felt forced to follow her husband. In the UK, she faced both physical and financial abuse, with her husband taking control of all their money and using it to support his mistress. Sandra, who had been working in the media in Nigeria, was now dependent on her husband and forced to work seven days a week, with no bed to sleep on.
Feeling trapped and alone, Sandra attempted to take her own life. Even her children were not safe from the abuse, with her daughter revealing fresh bruises during a PE class. The authorities were alerted and her children were temporarily taken away, but it was ultimately their courage in speaking out about their mother's abuse that helped her escape.
Sandra eventually found herself in Home Office emergency accommodation, but the years of abuse had taken a toll on her mental health. She was diagnosed with depression and unable to work. However, a chance encounter with a member of staff at a local food bank led her to her dedicated work coach, Abigail.
Abigail, who described Sandra's situation as one of the most extreme she had seen, formed a close bond with her and helped her to secure a job at a school. With Abigail's support and encouragement, Sandra was now able to see a future for herself beyond the abuse she had endured.
Just a week ago, Sandra moved into her new home and is now working in a job she loves. She credits Abigail for not wasting any time in helping her and for showing her love and support when she needed it most.
Sandra's journey to freedom was not easy, but she is now able to look back and reflect on the past 14 years of her life with a new perspective. She shared her story with Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall, and Secretary of State of Health, Wes Streeting, during their visit to the North Central London WorkWell centre in Islington.
The WorkWell programme, launched just a month ago, aims to help individuals with health challenges find and maintain jobs, while also supporting small businesses in doing the same for their employees. It provides personalized support through one-to-one sessions with dedicated work and health coaches, as well as access to services such as physiotherapy and counseling.
Kendall and Streeting were moved by the stories they heard from those involved with the programme and emphasized the need for a more joined-up approach to work and health support. They believe that with the right support, individuals with mental health challenges can not only find work but also thrive in their careers.
Sandra's journey may have been a difficult one, but with the help of WorkWell and her dedicated work coach, she is now free and able to look forward to a brighter future.
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