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Family Story |
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Tammy was pregnant at just 16 and did not know if she would be able to cope with looking after her own child as she only had very limited support from those around her. She somehow got through those first few months with her daughter Anika and even managed to attend a mother and toddler group, but she became very low soon after with post natal depression and started to suffer from an eating disorder. Tammy felt threatened by other people around her and felt that even her so called friends were judging her in the way that she was looking after Anika. Her confidence and health were at an all time low and Tammy could not see a bright future for her family. She had first heard of Home-Start at the mother and toddler group she once attended and she remembered that they helped you in your own home. Now being so isolated and estranged from any support system this was especially important for Tammy.
She contacted Home-Start and a little while after, Nikki, our Senior Co-ordinator, was able to introduce Sarah, one of our volunteers, to Tammy and Anika. Tammy said, "I was really nervous about meeting Sarah and could not see how she was going to relate to me, but once we started talking, I knew it would be ok." Sarah then started to visit each week and sometimes just let Tammy talk and offload to another adult while she entertained Anika. |
As trust between them started to build Sarah started to help Tammy to think about healthy eating plans, about getting Anika into a proper routine and was able to give advice about potty training and other developmental milestones. Sarah was also able to lend a helping hand when Tammy recently moved house. Tammy said, "I love Sarah coming to visit as she always brings such vibrant energy with her".
Tammy still received regular visits from Nikki, our Senior Co-ordinator, to give any extra support and to carry out regular reviews. After just 10 months of Home-Start being involved Tammy is now much more positive about the future, being able to contact Sarah, her volunteer, for moral support makes all the difference and she is able to cope by taking things day by day. Her confidence in her own parenting skills has improved from receiving encouragement and praise from Sarah, her eating disorder is under control and she has been able to secure a nursery place for Anika at the local primary school. Having already accessed recreational college courses during this time Tammy will be looking to further her skills once Anika is fully settled in nursery. Sarah will no doubt be there to help and support. |