“Has Allah
commanded you
to leave us here?”

Gift her your Qurbani meat

When their husbands are imprisoned, these single mothers are left to pick up the pieces of a life devastated overnight. With bank accounts frozen and benefits withheld or delayed, often they are unable to even feed their children.

With inflation at a 30-year high, almost half the Muslim population in the UK is now entrapped in a cycle of poverty, compared to 18% of the general population with 65% now falling into debt to get by.

This is even more of a reason to revive the Sunnah of giving your Qurbani close to home.

“We are a large family of seven and very rarely eat meat, as it is very expensive and unaffordable for us. So to be able to enjoy some lamb on Eid was a rare pleasure for the entire family. May Allah bless all those that contributed to make that happen and grant them al-firdaws.”

for a month

When their husbands are imprisoned, these single mothers are left to pick up the pieces of a life devastated overnight. With bank accounts frozen and benefits withheld or delayed, often they are unable to even feed their children.

With inflation at a 30-year high, an estimated 1.5 million UK households will struggle to pay the rising costs of food, fuel and energy bills this year.

“More than 2 million adults in the UK have gone without food for a whole day over the past month because they cannot afford to eat, according to a survey revealing the “catastrophic” impact of the cost of living crisis.”

Our food vouchers also enable families to purchase staple essentials. This will ensure little ones are well-fed and nourished, despite the uncertain times.

“They took all the money I had saved, not even leaving behind enough to buy bread...we had no clothes with us apart from what we were wearing. Whatever I could sell, I sold to be able to eat, to be able to live my life.”

children the joy of Eid

New clothes, gifts and the joy of celebrating together –these are the things all children look forward to on Eid. The current cost of living crisis already means families will be feeling the pinch of greater financial burdens. The children of prisoners are at higher risk of being left forgotten. In households, where food is scarce, mothers struggle to provide warm clothes for their children in winter, let alone new ones for Eid.

“The children began to feel special after receiving Eid gifts from HHUGS and they also arranged Eid parties we could attend. We finally started to feel more normal, like there were some people who weren’t afraid to associate with us. HHUGS saw us as human beings, not as criminals and terrorists. They treated us as part of the Ummah.”

children with their father this Eid

In times of togetherness like Eid, the wives and children of prisoners should not have to suffer the pain of separation. Many single mothers, already struggling financially, cannot afford the high cost of travelling to a prison in a remote location. The average UK prison visit is a 120 mile round-trip. In many cases, the added impediment of mobility constraints, make these visits impossible for elderly parents to undertake alone.

“May Allah reward everyone at HHUGS for arranging transport for the prison visit. Alhamdulillah, if it was not for HHUGS and the volunteers who drive us, I wouldn't be able to do this, especially with a new born baby. […] My husband was so excited about seeing our son, it was the first time he’d seen him since he's been born.”

Gift a uniform. Prepare her children for the academic year

In broken homes, where the hard choice between food on the table or heating in the winter is a daily reality, the prospect of buying school uniforms is a daunting one. With the average cost of uniforms ranging from £315 to £337 for state run schools, many single mothers struggle when their children outgrow their uniform, shoes and need new stationery and equipment.

Schools are witnessing first-hand the cost-of-living crisis. Rising inflation and soaring energy costs are hitting families hard. Far too many children in the UK are growing up without the basics they need. Children in 50% of Muslim households are growing up in poverty.

“Alhamdulillah for the gift card! I was able to buy my daughter’s schoolbag, trainers, shirts, shoes and other stuff such as pencil case and stationery. My family's quality of life is much better since HHUGS has been supporting us. The worries and stress have lifted off my head since all the wonderful things HHUGS have been providing us with. May Allah bless them. Ameen.”

Provide professional counselling to help her and her children heal

Wives of prisoners are more than twice as likely to suffer mental health problems due to loneliness, trauma and the added pressures of being single mothers. They watch helplessly as their children struggle with their own traumas, caused by bullying and separation anxiety. Research shows families of prisoners are more than twice as likely to suffer mental health problems. Professional support services are essential in helping individuals to access the tools they need to process, understand and attempt to heal from these life-altering trials, for both former prisoners and their families.

“I began living in fear. I started feeling that I’m not a complete human being, the pressure on me was very intense, all of my hair fell out.”

Cover the cost of her monthly rent, basic utilities and essential repairs

With the primary breadwinner in detention, many families of prisoners cannot pay the rent and so face eviction. Often they haven’t the means even to repair a front door smashed in a raid, and are left vulnerable without the most basic security. Unable to pay utility bills, they are forced to go without heating and electricity, leaving them exposed to the elements in their own homes.

The current cost of living crisis, with surging energy prices, has left families struggling to keep up with their rent and basic utilities, leaving many vulnerable to losing their family home. Rents in the UK are growing at the fastest rate for 14 years, with rent £88 a month higher on average across the UK than it was at the start of the pandemic.

“I had no income, it wasn’t legal for me to work… I was very depressed. But then HHUGS paid for my bills and my rent. I think if HHUGS were not there I wouldn’t be alive right now.”

Provide a source of hope and positivity for a child in despair

In addition to the trauma they are forced to live with, children of prisoners are also bullied and ostracised. Such vulnerable youth often succumb to mental-health problems and even turn to truancy or self-harm in the absence of social support and role models who cherish them. With two out of three boys with a convicted parent becoming offenders themselves, children of prisoners are more than three times as likely to commit anti-social or delinquent behaviour. This Eid, the absence of their father will leave them feeling more abandoned than ever, particularly in a time of increased isolation. But academic support and recreational activities, as well as needs-based psychotherapy, can help HHUGS children tackle their inner turmoil and find comfort in the attention and affection they yearn for. A dedicated and sensitive mentor will also mean a child is supported through the years of their father’s absence and shown productive and fruitful paths ahead.

“Yusuf used to stay in his room alone all day, but HHUGS, they paid attention to him, taking him on Islamic conferences and retreats. […] His approach to things became different, he would know right from wrong and he became a positive healthy young man. He changed his attitude towards me from hostility to kindness and he began helping me look after our family. […] I couldn’t have imagined that they would have such an impact on him. I believe I would never have been able to help Yusuf in the same way.”

Gift independence through education, driving lessons and vocational training

Through financial hardship and ongoing social isolation, the wives of prisoners struggle to provide and care for their children. Many face the additional challenge of language constraints as well as a lack of basic skills and work experience. Without community support for childcare and funding for education, they’re unable to improve their situation. Their association with a terror suspect also reduces their chances of employment.

“When I finish my course I hope to apply to become a Teaching Assistant level 3 in school. It looks very good on my CV and will help me get a job. Often sisters in my situation don't have any qualifications. Our days are consumed with our families and dealing with the prison, the case. Without HHUGS this would not have been possible.”