A divorce can be heartbreaking, stressful, and expensive, particularly in London. Following a divorce, many people find themselves struggling both emotionally and financially and, in this article, we’re looking at the support available for divorcees in West London.
Divorce rates in many areas in London stand at around 10%. While some people may receive the help of a divorce financial settlement solicitors for the practical and financial side of things, other types of support are paramount to getting through the other side.
As well as being an emotional upheaval, a divorce can also leave a divorcee in dire straits financially. In this article, we’re exploring the help and support available to divorcees in West London. Take a look…
Financial support for divorcees in West London
Following a divorce, finances can be incredibly tight. In many cases, the divorcee will have to take on new financial responsibilities which were previously shared with their partner, such as accommodation, utility bills, transport and childcare. In this section, we’re looking at some of the financial support that divorcees may be eligible for:
Ancillary Relief
The period which immediately follows a divorce or separation tends to be the most challenging in terms of finance, as activities such as a house sale or maintenance agreement may not have been finalised. Your family law solicitor may be able to negotiate ancillary relief on your behalf – an amount of money paid to you by your former spouse to help with expenses until all sales and agreements have been completed.
Universal Credit
If you are unemployed or on a low income, you may be entitled to claim Universal Credit and housing benefit payments from the Government. These payments can help considerably if you’re struggling to meet your financial commitments.
Mental health support for divorcees in West London
A divorce can bring with it a number of emotions including sadness, anger and grief, and it’s important to tackle these in order to be able to move forward. There are a number of counselling services available in West London for divorcees or, alternatively, you can speak to your GP for recommendations. You may find details of these services on your local council’s website.
Childcare support for divorcees in West London
If you are working and have children, you may be entitled to up to 30 hours of free childcare a week for up to 38 weeks. This can be a huge help to divorcees trying to juggle a low paying career and their children in expensive areas of West London. To find out if you’re eligible, you can apply online in the UK.
Social and emotional support for divorcees in West London
Once the dust settles on a divorce, many divorcees find that they experience feelings of loneliness and isolation – which can lead to mental health issues. While some divorcees find that they’re ready to embark on a new relationship, others are simply looking to reach out to like-minded people with a view to supporting one another through this difficult time. Thankfully, there are a number of support networks within West London and some of these are:
Divorce Club London
More than just a friends group, the Divorce Club London offers a number of services including financial, practical and legal advice for divorcees. It also connects divorcees to a network of over 2,000 likeminded people, allowing divorcees to make new friends and potential new partners, as well as providing a safe space to talk through your feelings.
The Divorce Recovery Workshop
Held over six sessions, the DRW is a national charity and was designed to help newly divorced people to navigate the emotional and practical parts of their divorce, and to come to terms with their new circumstances. The workshop’s facilitators have all experienced divorce themselves and conduct the sessions in a sympathetic but proactive manner.
Restored Lives
This online and real-life facility for those of the Christian faith offers help and support. It also provides connections to other individuals who have found themselves in the same boat.
Social media support for divorcees in West London
- Divorce Support Group UK – Aimed at women, this Facebook group is a safe space for talking (and venting) with other divorced women.
- Better Than a Sister: The South Asian Women’s Divorce Group – This Facebook group has been created to help women from South Asian backgrounds tackle the stigma and emotional challenges of divorce.
- Gay Men’s Breakup + Support Group – A Facebook group specifically for gay men who have experienced a separation or divorce.
Making connections for a new start
Navigating a divorce – and a newly single life – can be incredibly daunting; particularly if you were with your former partner for a significant length of time. Nobody should have to go through that alone. Loneliness and isolation are extremely common side effects of divorce and separation, and can lead to long term health and wellbeing issues.
Whether you’re looking to get back in the saddle and find a new partner or you’re just looking for someone to talk to, there is help available including networks of people who are going through the exact same thing right now.
For many, there is also financial support available when going through a divorce. You should always arm yourself with a good family law solicitor to make sure that you know exactly what your options are and how to initiate them.
