Barnardos Supporters Newsletter- Summer 2025
You’re helping give Jeremy a safe, happy place to be a child
Jeremy, four years old, loves coming to Barnardos. He even says it feels like home.
Life hasn’t been kind to Jeremy. His mam died so he lives with his sister Annie and dad. His dad, Anthony, is the most caring person and loves his children so much. But of course, he is grieving too. It’s been so hard for the three of them to cope with their loss, but Anthony does his best to make the children feel better day after day.
Unfortunately, things got worse for the family when their landlord decided to sell their house, and this winter they had to leave it. First their Mam died, then they lost their home. Life can throw so much hardship at such young little ones. Jeremy was so lost. They were rehomed over an hour away by public transport from the Barnardos centre where Jeremy was attending the Early Years service as well as the family receiving Family Support. Dad still made sure they went as often as possible, even though it was so hard getting there. He knew how important it was for Jeremy and Annie to continue attending. He was determined to keep the one thing that made them feel better, and safe. He is such an inspiring parent.
In the meantime, their Barnardos project workers worked very hard in the background to try and get the family rehomed closer to the Barnardos centre. And their efforts paid off. Earlier this spring, Jeremy, Annie and Anthony moved to a place only a few streets away. That took so much pressure off Dad, being able to bring the children to Barnardos in just a few minutes. The other day, Jeremy strolled in proudly and said to his project worker: “Right, I will be the helper today!”
Coming to Barnardos makes such a difference to the lives of children like Jeremy. For many of them, it is like a second home. A safe, happy place, far away from the worries of the world of adults.
You are providing this safe place. None of it would be possible without the help of our wonderful supporters.
Thank you so much.
All thanks to You– 2024 at a Glance
What children and their parents have to say
There’s no better way to show you the way you’re helping change lives, than for you to hear it directly from the children and parents attending our services.
Parents
“It feels like they (Barnardos workers) have taken a weight off me. I felt it was so stressful and kind of felt alone. They reassured me that I wasn’t. They just weren’t strangers, you know, it’s kind of like I’d known them a long time and I did not have to hesitate in asking them anything. There were times where I felt like I was a failure with the challenges (the child) was having and I couldn’t support (the child), and to know that there is a lot more support that I didn’t even know was there, it’s brilliant..”
“If I have any concerns, they stand there and they listen away to me, and then they talk and tell me what to do and, well, they just give me advice. They don’t tell you what to do, they just give me advice and I will try anything! I will try. It doesn’t work, it doesn’t work and if it does, I keep doing it. So it’s good they (Barnardos workers) are there.”
“Ringing and being on the list was the best thing that I ever done….”
“I’d highly recommend Barnardos. I know it’s mainly for the kids, but you know what it is, parents do get stuff out of it as well, and it’s great to be able to vent, you know, because you might be just kind of going through a bad couple of months and need a chat.”
Children
“Yes, (Barnardos worker) is helping me have fun because I have had a bad year.”
“(Barnardos) helped me be happy!”
We can only do this with your help.
Every year, thousands of families reach out to Barnardos for help. Each and every one of them is searching for hope.
Searching for someone to show them that a different future is possible.
Your generosity has made a life-changing difference for so many children. Whether it was providing warm meals, trauma-informed support, or a safe place to turn in times of crisis—you were there.
Your gift today will help more children like Jeremy find warmth, safety, and hope for the future. Because childhood lasts a lifetime
Every single donation goes a long way in making a difference to the lives of children like Jeremy.
While Jeremy’s story is true, We have changed all names and some other details in order to protect the family’s identity. Photos used are models.