Diane’s story

CASE STUDY

Home-Start supported mum of three daughters Diane after she escaped a domestic violent relationship.

 

Diane and her 3 children escaped the violent and abusive situation at home working with the specialist Domestic Abuse team who referred the family to Home-Start for support. Diane was matched to her volunteer and an introductory visit was planned so support could begin. Diane had been on autopilot as she put everything in place ensuring her and her daughters had a safe home environment and school places in the area. The oldest daughter bottled up her feelings and the youngest displayed disruptive behaviour as she had no other way to express herself with being so young and having little communication skills. Diane’s volunteer was there as someone for Diane to talk to and to share any worries with. She also encouraged her to attend groups within her community to help with her communication and socialisation. Diane was anxious about her youngest daughter going to nursery as her older girls hadn’t but was concerned about her lack of speech and mobility as she was not yet walking but was able to cruise around the furniture.

 

 

The volunteer, Holly was able to gradually build a trusting relationship with Diane, providing her with a trusting person to talk to and as visits progressed Diane’s confidence to talk to Holly increased and they would go for walks to the park with Diane’s youngest daughter and the family dog. Diane talked about the impact that attending the Freedom programme was having on her and how she felt it was benefitting her, she opened up about the challenges she had with her oldest daughters additional needs, but she was also able to share her delight as her youngest daughter, began to progress in her development, walking and communicating more.

Diane’s confidence slowly grew and progressed so much that within a matter of weeks attending the group together, Diane was confident to meet Holly her volunteer at the group rather than travelling to group together.

Diane continued to flourish and by the end of support shared that “without Home-Start’s support I think I wouldn’t be where I am today. I feel so much stronger now and feel blessed to have met Holly who has meant so much to me and my family.”

 

“Without Home-Start’s support I think I wouldn’t be where I am today. I feel so much stronger now and feel blessed to have met Holly who has meant so much to me and my family.”