At 16 years old, I suffered a massive head injury. My skull on the left-hand side has been shattered and impacted on my brain. I died twice in the operation. My skull was rebuilt and after three months in a coma I came back.

I started back to work, but within a year I had major migraines and epilepsy. Six years ago my brain swelled and I lost many neurological connections. I felt I had gone mad as nothing made sense. After many months I was told the radiological diagnosis was frontal lobe dementia. I felt this explained some things but not all. I gave up all my property, my home and my money and became homeless for five years.

Rugby Mind were my saviours and they introduced me to P3. I met the Rugby Navigator team and was greeted like an old friend and my life changed for the better. I had support. I was housed in four weeks from meeting Amanda at P3 and on to the new trial benefit of Universal Credit. I was given a fridge and a cooker by the local authorities. The council were helpful. Some friends and family gave me a bed and a three-piece suite bought at Help at the Aged.

"I often ran out of electric and food"

I realised that I had six weeks until my first payment of Universal Credit. I had to be one month ahead in rent, so already I had a £1,000 debt, plus council tax. It took many loans to provide electric, water, food, furniture, dishes, pots and pans. I had major anxiety over this issue.

I often ran out of electric and food. Food banks are wonderful, but when my brain swelled, my immune system collapsed, I developed IBS and was intolerant to wheat and cereals, so my choices became limited. I became used to not eating food for one or two days a week.

At one point my money ran out and I had 19 days ahead of me with no food, and I was running out of electricity.

I went to P3, who connected me to the main benefit number. I explained my situation and was told that they don’t give out money for food. I put the phone down shocked and appalled.

We rang directly back and a different man answered and took my details again. I told him I needed a new cooker as my old one was broken, he just asked me how much I would need. I said £150. It was in my bank within a day. How is this possible?!

"We discussed how my life could be supported"

The Universal Credit has, in a year and a half, had two major overhauls. These have lessened the periods of debt and length of time for the benefit to become active. You can survive, but the trouble is the transition period, the alterations to the system.

However, the relationship between myself and the Job Centre in Rugby has been good. Trish looked after me and was always friendly and understanding after reviewing my paperwork and talking to me about my disability. We discussed how my life could be supported; I am no longer computer literate and P3 help me upload and use my online Journal as part of what you have to do for Universal Credit.

I’ve now paid off most of my debts, got my gas turned on, as I could not afford it previously, and I had heating over last winter. I had my flat decorated; I’ve been there a year now.

I also volunteer at Headway in Rugby one day a week, or whenever I’m needed. Sarah who runs the shop is an absolute angel, she’s increased my confidence. Working in a charity shop has shown me my limitations – I can’t use the computers at the till for example – but Sarah has tailored my tasks around what I can do. I’m really well looked after there!