Barnardo’s yesterday
“Barnardo’s taught
me everything
about life”
John Sheppard, who grew up in Barnardo’s in the 1970s,
shares his memories of life in care and explains why
the charity means so much to him.
“I was in lots of children’s homes
before I came to Barnardo’s,” says
John. “My mum had schizophrenia
and couldn’t look after me
properly, so my most vivid memory
as a child is of being hungry.
My dad wasn’t around so I was
left to look after myself. I was in
temporary care, they hoped mum
6 Barnardo’s Today
would be able to look after me
eventually but it didn’t work out.”
At the age of six John came into
permanent care with Barnardo’s.
“It felt like a proper home,”
remembers John. “I was at the
Village in Barkingside and then I
was fostered. I was with my first
foster family until I was almost 16,
Autumn 2016