Real stories
Wendy and open up. Her self-esteem
grew and she started looking
forward to their meetings.
“Wendy stuck by me and after a
while I started to feel comfortable.”
Robyn started attending group
sessions with other young carers,
where they were taught anger
management techniques, how to
“Barnardo’s helped me
to open up, to make new
friends and to believe
in myself. I started to
understand that I can
have a life.”
identify and cope with being bullied,
self-esteem development, coping
strategies and how to keep safe. At
first she found it daunting, having
to participate in group ice-breakers
and share her feelings, but she
quickly started to relax and found
she enjoyed meeting other children
and young people who each had a
10 Barnardo’s Today
story to tell. She soon made some
good friends who understood her.
“It’s extremely important to
provide vulnerable children
with someone to turn to. It can
be a lifeline. It can make all the
difference to their life. A positive
difference that’s sustainable,”
says Wendy.
Robyn joined the Barnardo’s
drama group and loves it. It’s
given her the confidence she never
thought she’d have.
“When I perform I’m someone
else. It takes me away from my
situation even for a little while, I
can be someone else.”
Over time, Robyn has flourished
and believes she has a future.
She is now a member of the Young
Carers Council and the Newsletter
Group, helping inform professionals
about young carers’ needs.
She’s met with local councillors,
children’s services and schools to
educate them on how to identify and
support young carers.
“Barnardo’s helped me to open
up, to make new friends and to
Autumn 2016