“I can’t remember the last time I felt so happy.” - Lorraine’s story

“Barnardo’s have really helped me since I came in touch with them” 

“I recently moved to Falkirk after getting out of a domestically violent relationship. I’ve struggled really badly, had to give up my job, and the situation has left me struggling financially. It’s been hard to get back on my feet. 

“I was referred to Barnardo’s by a service which was helping me to stop smoking. I told them about my background and how I had no one to turn to. I needed help being on my own, not knowing what to do and especially to support my two children. 

“I’m still quite new to the programme at Barnardo’s, but I’m glad I reached out for help because we all need support sometimes. Barnardo’s have really helped me since I came in touch with them.” 

“I see my children on weekends and over the holidays. They spend Monday to Friday with their dad. They’ve had a tough time since me and their dad got divorced and when I met someone new who was domestically violent. They’ve seen me struggling financially and also my struggle after my dad passed away. 

“We had a really good life at one point. I had a good job, my own car…but experiencing domestic violence and moving away really took its toll on me. I’m a completely different person now, and I don’t always know what to do to best support my children. I can’t give them everything I used to be able to give them, which can be hard for me to swallow.” 

“I feel like I have things to look forward to now” 

“The [Child Poverty Fund] support lifted mine and my children’s spirits so much. It gave me hope - because sometimes I do feel hopeless trying to make ends meet. It’s amazing that Barnardo’s offers this support. 

“I used the vouchers to buy camping equipment: a tent, chairs, lights, sleeping bags and things like that. I thought it was a great idea with it being summer, and it’s something easy and something I can keep for the rest of my life. 

“Once we had the equipment, I took the kids camping in Dumfries and Galloway and they absolutely loved it. It was a new experience for them, and it was the best thing I chose to do. The weather was amazing as well! 

“The experience was fantastic. It was the first time putting up a tent for all of us, so we did it together and worked as a team. 

“My son would have stayed if he could - we didn’t want to go back home! We made some wonderful memories pitching our tent and building a fire together. 

“It only cost me around £20 for the weekend. Obviously, I don’t have as much money as I did when I worked full time, but the support from Barnardo’s really took the pressure off me financially. It meant I only had to pay for the campsite and a little bit of fuel, but having the camping equipment took such a huge pressure off. 

“It made me feel really happy. I can’t remember the last time I felt so happy. And I saw that happiness in my kids as well. They just lit up and I could tell they saw a change in me.” 

“I’ve always worried over the summer about what I can do with the kids. It’s not a nice feeling when you can’t do things with them - when you can’t afford to do anything. So, this experience was just great. I can’t put into words how much it changed for us. 

“Over the rest of the summer, we’re going to keep taking small camping trips together on the weekends. Even if we just go somewhere local, it feels like you’re in a different place completely. The car is still packed up with the camping stuff and we can’t wait for our next trip. It’s doesn’t cost much but it’s an amazing way to make memories together. 

“Compared to how I felt when I first moved away, I can’t express how much Barnardo’s has helped. I feel like I have things to look forward to now and the support has been absolutely amazing.”