Michael

Michael has had a pretty tough life by anyone's standards. He has experienced living homeless on the streets, the death of his younger brother, domestic violence, addiction issues and depression in his family. Michael is three.

His emotions were all jumbled up

When Michael first came to Barnardos he was quiet and withdrawn. He was very emotional but those emotions were all jumbled up and it was hard to understand what Michael was feeling. He didn't know how to express himself and was an angry and violent little boy. With the help of Twiggle the puppet who regularly appears during ‘circle time', Michael and the children learned to make sense of their emotions and to learn important messages such as the idea that hitting was wrong. One week Michael was unusually teary but his key worker Sandra couldn't figure out what was the matter. Finally, Michael found the strength and courage to say that "Me Da hit me Ma".

Michael's mum and dad really love their children

Barnardos and other organisations worked with the family to get to the root of Michael's revelation. His dad had experienced violence and terrible struggle in his own childhood. He recently lost two brothers and his young son in tragic circumstances. Michael's mum was struggling to cope with the loss of her young child, depression and Dad's violent outbursts.

It sounded like a hopeless situation but behind it all, Michael's mum and dad really love their children and really wanted to make things right for them - they just didn't know how or who to turn to for help. With the help of Michael's revelation Barnardos have been working with them and supporting them to get the help they need and things are really turning around.

He is much happier and making friends. Michael is flourishing

Sandra and the Barnardos team worked with Michael's mum and dad and over time developed positive trusting relationships with them both. His dad is attending anger management support and is turning up regularly to watch his son play happily in Barnardos. His mum is receiving help with her depression and now finds it much easier to cope.

Michael meanwhile is flourishing. He is much happier, making friends and thrilled that his dad joins him for his lunch with his little friends. Michael's first three years have been so tough, but thanks to his bravery and his newly developed emotional skills and courage he was able to speak out about the family's problems, and now he and his family's futures looks hopeful.