Rhys' story

For Rhys’ birthday and Christmas last year the only person he received a card and present from was his worker at Barnardo’s Cymru. Christmas can be a difficult time for all people who do not have family around to celebrate with. If you are young, vulnerable and on a very low income it can be an emotionally devastating time.

Take Rhys for example. He had been in care for most of his life and had no connection with his family. He was in residential care near Wrexham before moving into a flat of his own. Rhys has a learning disability and struggled on his own for many months before being told about the leaving care and tenancy support teams run by Barnardo’s Cymru.

Rhys says:

My workers helped me with forms and sorted out my debts, which had accumulated during the months on my own.  I could just call in whenever I needed some help with anything, or just when I needed a chat

Having no links to my family I am generally on my own over Christmas. It’s great that Barnardo’s do things; there’s usually a Christmas party where we can go to have food and play games, and have a chat with young people in the same situation. Also we have gifts from Barnardo’s. They really help to make Christmas fun.

Barnardo’s does try to make Christmas a fun time for our young people, but we would like to do more. We would like to ensure all our young people get a present, a food hamper and Christmas decorations. Contact us to find out how you can help.