Because Childhood Lasts A Lifetime
True stories can be the hardest to tell.
Barnardos Ireland works tirelessly to help people understand theirs by working with children and families impacted by adversity and childhood trauma.
Only because of the continued support of the public, can we work with children to build resilience; with families to strengthen parenting skills; with schools to develop social & emotional skills to support learning and with communities to connect families and local supports.
Barnardos recognises that children and families who experience trauma and adversity have complex and diverse needs and require a variety of trauma-informed programmes.
True stories can be the hardest to tell.
Daniel was just seven years old when his world started to unravel. His family had always struggled to make ends meet, but he didn’t really understand it at first. He only knew that his clothes weren’t as new as the other kids’, that birthday parties and school trips weren’t for him, and that sometimes, he went to bed hungry.
At school, he began to feel the weight of being different. His classmates would talk about their new football boots or the latest video games, and Daniel would pretend he didn’t care. He stopped asking for things because he knew his Mam and Dad couldn’t afford them. As the years went on, that feeling of being left out grew. It wasn’t just about what he didn’t have—it was about how alone he felt.
Then, when Daniel was nine, the worst happened. His Mam passed away after a very short battle with cancer. The grief hit like a storm, shaking everything that was already fragile. His Dad, overwhelmed and barely coping, withdrew into his own pain. Daniel tried to be strong, but inside, he was aching. His Dad didn’t talk about it, so he felt like he couldn’t either. They were just ‘getting by’.
By the time he started secondary school, he was struggling to concentrate, his grades weren’t great, and his quiet sadness turned into anger. He started skipping classes, keeping his head down, and avoiding questions from teachers.
When he turned 14, Daniel felt so lost. The years of struggling, of feeling like he didn’t belong, of carrying his grief alone, had taken their toll. He was falling behind, his relationship with his Dad was strained, and deep down, he had started to believe that his future would always be filled with struggle.
That’s when Barnardos stepped in.
Because of people like you, Barnardos was there to help change Daniel’s story
At first, he didn’t want to open up. He had spent years keeping his feelings locked away—why would this be any different? But his project worker, Sarah, didn’t push. She listened. She gave him a space where he didn’t have to pretend everything was fine.
Through Barnardos’ trauma-informed support, Daniel began to process the grief he had carried for so long. He learned how to express his emotions in ways that didn’t involve shutting people out. His Dad received support too, helping him rebuild a connection with his son that had been fading under the weight of loss and financial stress.
Barnardos also helped Daniel with practical support, making sure he had access to resources to catch up in school, and giving him a safe place where he could just be a teenager without the burden of survival weighing him down.
Slowly but surely, Daniel’s story started to change. He began showing up to school again, not just physically but mentally. He reconnected with old friends. He started playing football, something he had loved as a kid but had abandoned because he felt like he didn’t belong.
Most importantly, he started to believe in his own future.
Early intervention is critical, but it is never too late to change a child’s future.
Because of supporters like you, Daniel’s path is no longer defined by hardship and loss. He has hope. He has support. He has a future.
But there are still too many children like Daniel who are waiting for help.
You can help change their story. Donate today at barnardos.ie – Because childhood lasts a lifetime.
True stories can be the hardest to tell.
Barnardos Ireland works tirelessly to help people understand theirs by working with children and families impacted by adversity and childhood trauma.
Only because of the continued support of the public, can we work with children to build resilience; with families to strengthen parenting skills; with schools to develop social & emotional skills to support learning and with communities to connect families and local supports.
Barnardos recognises that children and families who experience trauma and adversity have complex and diverse needs and require a variety of trauma-informed programmes.

1 in 5 children in Ireland are living in enforced deprivation (CSO EU SILC 2024)
1-in-6 children supported by Barnardos targeted services have experienced domestic violence and abuse.
Barnardos provides services for children and families in their centres, in family homes, schools and communities across Ireland.
Barnardos has provided services to vulnerable children and families in Ireland for over 60 years.

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