Summer News 2024
Better With You
Katie was only two when she first arrived at one of our Early Years’ Centres and even though she hadn’t started talking yet, she was already showing signs of some worrying behaviours. She was lashing out at the project workers, at other children, and even at her mother. While talking to Katie’s mother, the project workers learned that there had been domestic violence in the home, and that while Katie’s father was no longer around, the hurt, and the impact the abuse had on both remained.
Both were offered tailored support to help get them back on their feet. Katie was supported with learning social skills and emotional regulation through 1-on-1 work with our project workers, as well as through spending time with other children her age. Her mother was also able to meet with other parents experiencing similar situations, and as they say, ‘a problem shared is a problem halved.’
Services like Barnardos’ Early Years’ Service are only possible thanks to your support.
It has been two years now and Katie is doing much better and is chatting away, like any little girl her age should! You would smile if you could see her; to see the impact your support has had. She has made lots of friends while attending Barnardos and is looking forward to graduating to “Big School” in September.
Recently Katie and her mother have moved into their forever home. Thanks to our kind supporters, Barnardos has helped to get them some bits they needed for their house.
Katie’s life has been turned around by the support provided by people like you through the Early Years’ service.
All of this work is only made possible thanks to you. Your generosity has transformed the lives of not only Katie and her mother but over 26,000 children and their families that our services reached last year. Because childhood lasts a lifetime.
Give A Gift That Makes A Difference
Barnardos Gifts for Good is our alternative gift range for your family and friends. For each Gift for Good you buy, you’ll be sent an individual card with an envelope in which you can write your own personal message to give to a loved one.
With a Gift for Good, you can directly benefit a child or family that Barnardos works with by providing them with the essentials they need, such as a set of clean bedclothes to give a small child a warm, comfortable night’s sleep.
There are eight different Gifts for Good cards to suit all budgets, or we also have a Care Bundle – a special offer of five Gifts for Good for €100.
“The Best Day Ever”
Recently, one of our donor care team was speaking to Bernadette, a long-time supporter, on the phone.
Bernadette said she has been donating to Barnardos because she and her son Jack had benefited from using our family support centres in the past, when their family was going through hard times. She told us how every day after leaving the Family Support Centre, Jack would say he “Had the Best Day Ever!”.
Bernadette said the centre and project workers there had helped to get her back on her feet during a difficult period, and that she is now living a happy life with a healthy family thanks to Barnardos being there we she needed us.
It is only because of you that we can continue to be there for families like Bernadette and Jack and give more children their “Best Day Ever”.
If you would like to share with us why you have chosen to support Barnardos, we would love to hear from you. Send us an email to [email protected].
