A Mother's Job: From Benefits Street to the Houses of Parliament: One Woman’s Fight For Her Tragic Daughter

Joy writes from her heart a truly devastating account of her daughters strength in adversity from birth overcoming serious hurdles in many aspects of her health to bring reduced to a shell of her former self , housebound and unsupported by the benefits system. Jodey was let down massively by a heartless cruel and brutal catalogue of failures resulting in her ending her own pain in 2017. Joys writing touches me deeply and her commitment not only through her daughters while life to supporting and encouraging her, now using her grief and anger to ensure noone else goes through what they have all suffered and continue to suffer. Joys passion to change things, her true spirit of kindness and care that shines in the face of a few examples in the book of downright lack of human connection, is inspiring. Her continued pushing for change in behalf of the most vulnerable fellow humans is an example the DWP could only try and aspire to. Jodey will have justice and thanks to her and Joy it paves the way for great changes for so many of us. Amazing read. Thank you Joy

I met Joy at the Labour party conference in 2019 where she gave a passionate speech about her daughter Jodey who had taken her own life as a direct result of DWP neglect and cruelty. She spoke so beautifully it touched my heart. Reading this book was both harrowing and bittersweet,the love between Joy and Jodey just shone through. The book is so well written i read it in one sitting and was left with total admiration for Joy and absolute fury at the way Jodey was treated. The DWP have blood on their hands and they need to be held accountable. Keep going Joy,we are all behind you!! JUSTICE FOR JODEY

This is a true story of a mother battling to get justice for her daughter Jodey, who was treated horrifically by the DWP, despite being known to be extremely vulnerable. The sense of Jodey being caught up in the heartless machinery of the DWP, her growing desperation, and finally losing hope altogether, is heartbreaking and enraging. Mam Joy’s never ending love for her girl, and her determination to get her justice shines through, despite often feeling out of her depth dealing with increasingly powerful people and new situations. I also loved to see the comradeship offered to Joy throughout, from her local CAB office, through to legal support and local press. I hope Joy finds time to have some r&r before the next chapter begins, she’s earned it

As a benefit adviser I hear stories daily of how our welfare system lets down the most vulnerable in our society. As a disabled benefits adviser I also know first hand how dehumanising and anxiety ridden the application for disability benefit isn't. Despite my knowledge and experience this story broke my heart over and over again, but also renewed in me the need for people doing my job on behalf of those that need us.

I loved the two main people in this book, Joy and Jodey. Joy is an inspiration and the depth of her love for her family and her compassion for others is outstanding. The DWP showed itself to be the total opposite of these qualities, and demonstrated callousness to the very people it is supposed to support. The story of Jodey should be shouted from the rooftops , and Joy deserves a seat in the House of Lords.

This book was written by a lady who has never before written a book before. This is a honest and interesting book about her life and her daughter's life following her daughter's sudden death. This followed decisions made by the benefits system has led to a campaign by her mother to request the truth about decisions made and to get facts released to show what led to this outcome.A book that is so well written and describes the family's fight and recognition for changes in the government to stop repeating this practice. Well worth reading and an honest account of what happened and her mother's fight for Justice. Hard to stop reading once you start.

Brilliant story . highlighting the cruel dwp.a mother who fought an never gave up .I cried reading this . My heart trully goes out to this family and a knew I would like it after she got clothes from a charity shop and had egg sandwiches on train .my kind of person .big hugs xx

Its a brilliant book about my friend jodie and her mams fight in 'justice for jodey' campain. It helped me understand jodie who i met in care in 1990 , her backgroud and upbringing and aslo her constant battle with extreme physical and mental health who sadly took her own life out of desperation. I love you jodey and joy , keep fighting , we are all behind you x