Disappointed with people

I do think this is a very difficult situation. I don't think you should be upset with your client, who was trying to do the right thing.
In a similar situation, I listed all the things I had done, with no specific mention of clients, and asked my manager to sign it. Of course, it didn't say to what standard I had worked, but it did at least say what I had been doing.

I think the problem is that references have become rather fraught. I worked with a horrible person whose work I had to constantly check. When she left, she threatened legal action if she didn't have a 'good' reference. A small organisation, or even a larger, but publicly funded one, can't afford to get into such a situation. Even when in the right, with evidence I had collected, my managers felt it would be too expensive. I did personally decline to write the reference, and left it to the managers.

I realised a long time ago that people are very odd! One simply cannot read them; they are either obtuse or simply malicious. I choose my social circle very carefully & have to say it is now comfortably small & nicely peaceful. 😏

I think you are the same poster who has written several times over workplace issues? Forgive me, if I’m wrong.

I think you need to read the comments you’ve already got - and move on.

Perhaps as an agency the policy is not to give references but they could confirm you were employed with no problems. I don’t think it is unusual in some areas to do this.

I was a support worker for 35 years. I would never have asked a service user for a reference. The fact that you "helped" her in your own time was your choice. You appear to have had expectations that she would then supply you with a reference? Unprofessional and ridiculous.

I think you were in an awkward position but don't think it's weird either.
A reference is a legal document and being asked to do one as a client is somewhat unusual. She may have been following the advice of her support worker.

I hope you found the reference from your agency sufficient.

haven't you raised this or a v similar issue recently here?
i don't think the service user was being weird, she probably felt put on the spot and maybe anxious.
was not the reference you had from the employment agency enough.