C’mere, you lot, ’cause I’m asking for a favour.

Ari is my partner in crime, BFF, ladybrother-from-another-mother, as well as (incidentally) being a fantastic writer, artist, activist, DJ, community worker, volunteer, and general troublemaker of the best kind. She is also in one hell of a vulnerable economic situation, being unable to work fulltime at the moment due to her clinical depression, but until now had been getting by okay.

She is in a bit of a Situation. I’ll let her explain it herself:

My name is Ari Silvera. I’m a migrant trans woman, activist, writer and performer based in Glasgow. In the past year, my capacity to do work has been greatly diminished due to my clinical depression.

I am fundraising to cover my rent, bills, and huge council tax bill I need to pay. I have been on benefits until recently, which significantly reduced the amount of council tax I needed to pay. However, my benefits have been suspended, and it is quite likely I am no longer entitled to receive benefit. For your information, I was not sanctioned, the way benefits work for EU citizens that are not native to the UK has changed recently (I’m afraid I can’t discuss any further publicly).

I am currently in the process of becoming self-employed.I am raising money for rent, bills including electricity (crucial in cold cold Glasgow) and internet (crucial for all the work I actually do) as well as that dreaded council tax bill to the tune of £700. I’ve also budgeted a bit extra to help pay for counselling, as I’m currently seeking a local counsellor but, alas, free counselling is in very short supply.

With your help, I hope to not only cover my bills and rent, but also to use this money to help me get my life back on track through counselling. I am currently working day to day on my mental health, as well as trying to find jobs I can do, but that is also quite difficult.

In short, the benefits that were keeping a roof over her head and food on her plate got cut off without warning, and she’s seriously in need of help to tide her over until she can sort something else out for herself. She’s a smart cookie and resourceful as all getout, so I know she’ll be grand in the long run.

Additionally.. this one is really close to my heart, you guys. Ari is one of my closest friends. I had some really difficult times in the past few years, and Ari’s one of the people who was always, always there for me.

If you’re in a position to help her out, pop over to her funding page. And, of course, all the usual appreciation applies re sharing and all.

Thanks, pets! Shall now get back to your (ir)regularly (un)scheduled serious social issues and also terrible drawings.