Suffering in Silence

Speaking at a Cee4Bee event in April 2016, Yemisi Jenkins reflected on the loss of community spirit and the tendency for people to work in silos, concentrating on immediate family affairs while rarely checking on the welfare of others.

One story shared that evening concerned someone considering a loan of just over £500 from a high-cost lender because of an urgent need. The interest was said to exceed 50%, with repayment spread over two years. Another attendee knew of a person borrowing £800 on similarly difficult terms. The discussion asked why people should face that situation alone and what a community could do to prevent it.

If you are struggling, ask your network and your community for help. And if you are in more secure circumstances, look deliberately for people who might need information, counsel, an introduction, or practical support. Acting together can stop someone making a financial decision that harms them for years.

The writer acknowledged that lending or directly helping another person carries risk. A borrower may not repay, and some readers may already have had that experience. But the existence of risk did not remove the need to search for safer ways to help. Communities could discuss safeguards, share reliable information, or crowd-source support without ignoring the potential for loss.

None of this means one person must solve another’s crisis. It means hardship becomes more dangerous when it is hidden. Asking for help, checking on people, sharing useful knowledge, and building a stronger support network can interrupt isolation before it deepens.