Ruth helped a woman she supports to get back £13,000, after she had not been paid by her employer for years.   

Janine, who lives in Islington, hadn’t been paid for more than 700 hours of work.

Ruth became Janine’s key worker in July 2024 and soon noticed that, although Janine was working regularly, she didn’t have enough money.

Janine often talked about how much she wanted to go on holiday but couldn’t afford it. It was frustrating for her to hear about other people in the building taking trips when she couldn’t.

Janine works for three days each week in the kitchen at a centre for people with learning disabilities.

Ruth started looking into it. She could see from her bank statements that Janine wasn’t being paid for her work.

Like many people with learning disabilities, Janine finds it difficult to speak up for herself. Ruth says: “People try to abuse their rights and, if we don’t try to advocate for them, they overlook them.”

Ruth investigated and analysed Janine’s bank statements, and spoke to Janine’s manager. 

She did all she could to fight to get the money Janine was owed.

“We have to try as a support worker to be at their side to support them, to guide them, for the right thing to be done,” Ruth says. She added: “The money needed to be paid.”

She eventually met with the employer, waiting for hours at their office, and showed them the evidence about what had happened.

In April this year, Janine was finally paid the £13,000 she was owed. It only happened thanks to Ruth’s determination. 

Janine is really pleased, she says: “I feel happy when I got paid, but it took time.”

As soon as she received the money, Ruth helped Janine to book a holiday. 

“I’m going to Turkey,” Janine says. “I’m going swimming in the swimming pool. I’ll have fun, and I’ll be going to eat there too. We’ll be in a hotel. We’re going to Istanbul. I’m just happy. I can’t wait to go on holiday.”

“And I’m happy with my key worker,” she added.