Mum fears for her children's safety

Hamish Hutchinson • Published 3 Mar 2010 15:40 5 Comments

Share this

MUM Asley Pearson is eager to move from the cramped conditions in her one-bedroomed flat. (Photo by David Robertson)

AN ALLOA mum says she lives in fear for the safety of her two young children because they are living in cramped conditions in a one-bedroom flat.

Ashley Pearson (21) moved into the ground floor one bedroom flat in Earn Court five years ago through the Pathfinders project but now has a two-year-old and a 18-week-old baby.

She has been on the council's housing list for over two years and also has her name on housing associations waiting list.

But with no sign of being able to move she told the Advertiser that she and her children are suffering because of the cramped conditions they are living in.

Ashley said, "Living like this is really getting to me now, so much so that I have had to go to the doctors. When I get up in the morning I would rather walk about Alloa or go to my mum's house than sit in the flat with the two children because it is so depressing. There just isn't the room for the three of us let alone for all the children's things. Half their toys and clothes are at my mum's house because I don't have the room.

"We have one bedroom which sleeps all three of us and there just isn't room to move.

"Also, if the baby wakes up it wakes my two-year-old too so she isn't getting any sleep either.

"Some nights I have to bring the Moses basket into the living room and sleep on the couch."

Ashley says she also has safety concerns after an inspection branded the flat a fire hazard with no means of escape for the family in an emergency.

She added, "I have no sense of smell so I am constantly panicking that if there is a fire I wouldn't know anything about it until the last minute and we wouldn't be able to get out.

"There has already been a fire above me, and I can't even let my two-year-old out to play so she is cooped up as well, which isn't fair on her.

"I don't want to bring my kids up here as I have had problems with people drinking then banging on my windows and throwing things at them - I just don't feel safe."

Ashley has been told that she doesn't have enough points to be moved despite the overcrowding issue.

She has raised her concerns with local councillor Craig Holden who has spoken to officers in the housing department and submitted the fire report.

Ashley added, "I have never been behind on my rent or owed any money to the council.

"All I want is a two bedroom house close to my family so they can help me with the children.

"It has got so bad that I contacted social services and am waiting on someone to come out and see me."

Clackmannanshire Council said that in order to maintain privacy and in order to promote confidence in existing or future service users, they cannot comment about individual cases.

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

******
Mar 3, 19:30
Report comment

This comment has been removed by a moderator
******
Mar 3, 21:31
Report comment

This comment has been removed by a moderator
******
Mar 4, 00:33
Report comment

This comment has been removed by a moderator
******
Mar 7, 11:35
Report comment

This comment has been removed by a moderator
Jan
Unregistered User
Mar 8, 02:21
Report comment

It is sad that this young lady feels she is in a bad situation however she is not the first to be in such a situation. She should be happy to have a place of her own! I myself had three children in a one bedroom flat in a high rise. It was not ideal, we managed by giving the children the bedroom and my husband and I slept on a fold out sofa. She complains she cannot store the children's clothes and toys in her flat! Come on! My message to her is: Please live in the real world, get off your b** and do something for yourself and your children!!

Recommend? Yes 0 No 0
everyday life
Unregistered User
Mar 9, 01:29
Report comment

Nobody said anywhere in the article that she was the first to be in such a position.

So many evil responses (including the ones that have been removed!)

Maybe if those who have responded with the evil responses were as quick to punt out the druggies and alcoholics that reside next door in every street in Clackmannanshire instead of having a go at a wee unmarried mother.

The druggies and alchoholics are getting the houses too.

Recommend? Yes 0 No 0
unwashed
Unregistered User
Mar 11, 14:29
Report comment

My comments were the first to be posted and removed, they were not evil but merely reflecting that this child has 2 children by age 20 , has shown no social responsibility to anyone, expects the taxpayer to pay for her life and children for the next 16 years yet make no contribution to society.

Look at any corner of Clacks and it is littered with the same people moaning about the " cooncil " is at fault for not helping them, but they put themselves in to this situation, you make your bed and lie in it.

Recommend? Yes 0 No 0
Ross
Unregistered User
Mar 23, 06:26
Report comment

I am disgusted that comments have been removed from here. This is a valid debate. These comments should be put in the paper!

Recommend? Yes 0 No 0
Ross
Unregistered User
Mar 23, 06:26
Report comment

Unwashed has hit it on the head!

Recommend? Yes 0 No 0

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.

Alloa & Hillfoots Advertiser Poll

When should the independence referendum be held in Scotland?

This Poll is now closed.

Within 18 months, as stipulated by the UK Government (30.2%)

Autumn 2014, as announced by Alex Salmond (52.8%)

Never (17.0%)

Follow @alloatiser