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A parent’s reflection

A parent’s reflection

Wellsprings

“Despite all the crises she has experienced, Wellsprings Outreach remain the constant in her life – a refuge and resource to which she can turn to for help”

It was at this time of extreme crisis that Wellsprings was mentioned. We saw the leaflet and supported her social worker in applying for a place when fostering ceased. It subsequently proved to be a turning point in her life when she was accepted as a resident at Wellsprings but honestly, we had no inkling then as to what a fantastic opportunity she had been given to turn her life around.

A New Home

Once settled in her own room she soon came to regard the dedicated social care workers as trusted friends and mentors who she could turn to for advice and help. Wellsprings became “Home” and the atmosphere to anyone who has visited gives off a homely feel. The staff, without exception have always given her unconditional support to bring her through her many problems and crises, teaching her how to develop strategies to help her gradually progress.

Despite all the crises she has experienced, Wellsprings Outreach remain the constant in her life – a refuge and resource to which she can turn to for help, advice or just a friendly understanding chat. An absolutely vital resource for any vulnerable young woman.

Wellsprings was instrumental in assisting her return to education, passing a number of essential exams. She is now in regular employment. In addition, she was assisted in finding a flat after her time at Wellsprings and continues to have kindness and compassionate support in setting up home and dealing with all that brings – rent, utility bills etc.

Over the recent past she had more than her fair share of unexpected crises but in every case Wellsprings has been there for her. Wellsprings is a beacon of hope and we are so thankful every day that our daughter has benefitted in such a fantastic positive way from the lovely dedicated and super kind people of Wellsprings.

A young woman’s journey

A young woman’s journey

Wellsprings

“Wellsprings feels like home and ye changed my life. I am the mother I am today because of ye”

I was in and out of care all of my life, going into fulltime residential care at age seven with my sisters and brother. Life was horrible there. I spent some time in foster care. I really did not like it at all, I was not used to the whole family situation.

At 15, my aftercare worker spoke to me about my options and Wellsprings was mentioned and a referral letter was sent off. I went to see Wellsprings; I met the staff who showed me around. I loved it. I remember the first day I came to stay I was allowed to bring my brother and sisters and we had a little party with cake and everything…I couldn’t believe it….it felt like home straight away…I loved it . When I started going back to my mother’s to stay, the staff continued to ring me and invite me down for baths and food and of course the mint choc ice cream. I was in contact all that time with Wellsprings.

Looking ahead

I now have my own children and Wellsprings were really supportive in helping me with my first 3 children setting up playschools helping me bring them with a staff member being my birthing partner on my 4th child. They helped so much. They still ask about him. Wellsprings helped me to get counselling and still help me. I was the mother of 5 children at the time and I needed help to be a mother. I stopped and started with counselling but I’m still there today.

Wellsprings feels like home and ye changed my life. I am the mother I am today because of ye. I have had no social workers in my life and that is because of Wellsprings. I’m now making the right decisions instead of the wrong ones. I have learned to deal with the past in counselling. I was always treated as the delicate one in my family. Now I am the strong one.

A mentor’s story

A mentor’s story

Wellsprings

“They knew when I spoke about Wellsprings, I was doing so from a perspective of having been a resident myself and not just from an outsider point of view.”

There was no specific way that I became a mentor in Wellsprings to be honest. I didn’t follow the usual guidelines or volunteer for the role. It happened very organically. At that time in my life, I was receiving a lot of support from the staff members there which in turn meant I was in Wellsprings quite a lot. It gave me the opportunity to get to know the residents and build relationships with them. Falling into the role of mentor came naturally from there. There is a huge value in the mentoring programme from my point of view. It gives the residents someone to relate to. Someone that they know they can speak to without being treated with kid gloves, as such. They know that I will always be honest with them, even if they don’t like it at the time, and that I am speaking from experience. The mentoring programme is also a great way for someone like me to develop skills in this area and to feel productive and important. It is invaluable and I truly believe that Wellsprings is a better place to live because of it.

Focus & Purpose

There have been numerous benefits to my becoming a mentor for not only the girls, but also for myself. At the time, it gave me a purpose. It gave me something to focus on and work for. Spending time with the girls let me focus on them and their wellbeing, which in turn, helped me to work on my own wellbeing. When I gave advice to the girls on helping to improve their lives and emotions I began to put the advice into practise more for myself. It didn’t all happen at once and I wasn’t even aware of it at the time, but looking back I can see that feeling productive and helpful in turn boosted my confidence and my happiness. It also helped me to see the benefit that Wellsprings had on me. Being a resident, it’s not always easy to see the help you are receiving for what it is. Most people come there from a place or time of distress but afterwards, seeing the benefits it gives and the difference it makes, it helps to get perspective. This in turn is perspective that I can pass onto the girls so that they can appreciate what they have, while they have it, so to speak.

Having a mentor come in gave the residents another person who would support and understand them, someone that they could relax around. I am able to spend time where it is needed most, so if one of the girls is having a difficult time, I can choose to spend time with her and do something to cheer her up or make her feel better. The girls know that I am available to do activities or play games etc. but the most important thing I have found out is simply that I come in and am there. Knowing that I was a resident in the past made them feel understood I think. They knew when I spoke about Wellsprings, I was doing so from a perspective of having been a resident myself and not just from an outsider point of view. It gave us a common bond, which made it easy to build steady relationships.