Mother of Six Faces Challenges in Cramped Home Amid Job Loss

A mother from Stoke-on-Trent is struggling to provide for her six children in a cramped three-bedroom housing council property after losing her job. Ewelina Ciuruk, 35, has three children of her own and took in her sister’s three children from Poland following her husband’s return to their homeland. The situation has become overwhelming, prompting Ewelina to resign from her job at Fuchs Lubricants, where she worked for eight years.

Ewelina’s decision to leave her job was not made lightly. She explained, “I tried my best but I ended up having to leave because of all the stress and anxiety.” The upheaval has left her not only out of work but also facing uncertainty regarding her Universal Credit benefits.

## Struggles of Daily Life

Without a reliable vehicle and now without her nine-seater motor, which she had to sell after it broke down, Ewelina has launched a £2,600 online fundraising campaign to secure a replacement vehicle. So far, she has raised only £430, as reported by Stoke-on-TrentLive.

Ewelina is navigating a complex situation regarding her legal status as a guardian for her sister’s children. “They don’t understand my employment situation,” she said. The conflict arises because she cannot be recognized as their foster parent under UK law, even though Polish regulations allow for such recognition. As a result, she feels she is losing out on essential support.

Social services have visited her home and acknowledged the challenges of caring for six children. They indicated that her responsibilities would make it difficult for her to maintain employment. “Employers don’t really want to take me on either because they can’t offer the flexibility I need,” Ewelina added.

Living conditions are also strained. Ewelina has applied for larger accommodation due to the cramped living situation. She stated, “We’re also struggling with space. Everything’s stopped on that front. Nobody is contacting me about my application.” Currently, she shares a lounge with her youngest son while the other children share rooms, which she described as “very complicated.” With only one bathroom, complaints from the children have become frequent.

## Council Response

A spokesperson for the city council addressed the situation, explaining, “The decision to place the children was under the jurisdiction of Poland, who directed the assessment.” The council completed a viability assessment that ruled it acceptable for the children to live with Ewelina. However, they are unable to grant fostering status since the decision was made outside of the UK.

The spokesperson confirmed that Ewelina holds an active application on the housing register in the highest banding. They stated, “An officer will make contact to provide advice and assistance with their housing options across all housing tenures.” Despite this, the council is facing a critical shortage of larger homes, which may result in long wait times for families seeking social housing.

Ewelina continues to hope for a better future for her family while managing the daily challenges of parenting under difficult circumstances. To support her fundraising efforts, donations can be made through her online campaign.