When young mum Ciara faced a difficult time, you helped give her the one-to-one support she really needed.
As a young mum of two small children, Ciara was finding it difficult to manage, especially as both her parents died when she was younger and she had grown up in care.
Living with mental health problems sometimes makes it hard for Ciara to cope with being a single mum. Sadly, her mental health took a turn for the worse when she found herself in debt and needing to move house because her landlord was selling up. It was a very stressful situation to be in.
Having previously been supported by Barnardo’s when she left care, Ciara turned to us again.
She was introduced to Jane, a Barnardo’s project worker from our Start Smart service, who helped Ciara to secure a tenancy with the new owner of the property so that she could stay in the same house under the same rental agreements. This was a great relief for Ciara and her children as they were settled in that house. It was their home.
We were there for Ciara because we never give up on the children and young people who need us most. After I was assigned as her project worker, I first of all checked and reassured Ciara that her children were happy and well looked after.
Jane
Start Smart Project Worker
Jane also supported Ciara to become financially stable by helping her to access specialist debt advice.
With her money troubles finally under control, Ciara was able to concentrate on her mental health and Jane helped her get counselling and go on a confidence-building course.
Having lost both her parents at a young age, Ciara knew very little about her own family history – something she felt contributed to her stress, anxiety and low mood. She wanted to learn about her parents and her history. Jane helped her with this, by facilitating her request to access her social care records. She was right by Ciara’s side as she read her files - providing support and encouragement throughout.
Although it was emotional, Ciara took strength from the experience of learning about her history, discovering ‘missing’ information from her childhood and unresolved questions and feelings that have been on her mind for a long time. She has been able to link her present mental health issues with her childhood experiences, as well as recognise the incredible strength she has displayed in coping with her past traumas. “I am a really good mum”, she said after she read her files.
I feel like I can take the good bits and put the rest away and move on with my life
Ciara
She has also reached out to the foster families who she spent time with, as well as her paternal grandparents, who she hopes to visit.
Jane has helped Ciara to build self-belief, who now feels she is worthy of care and support, and deserves to reach her potential, as well as her belief that she has done a good job as a parent.
Working with me has really helped to change the way she sees the world. Building a relationship with a supportive and reassuring adult has given her a much-needed sense of stability.
Jane
Start Smart Project Worker
Ciara is now thinking about her future with a sense of hope, thanks to your support.
* To protect their identity, Ciara’s and Jane's names have been changed and models have been used to portray Ciara and her children.
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