Here we talk to Clare* about her life growing up and how she ended up coming to our DIVA group that supports young mums affected by domestic abuse. After witnessing domestic violence as a child, she thought it was an acceptable way to behave, regularly attacking her...
Clare found St Michael’s was ‘a haven for young mothers’ in 1984 When my parents found out I was pregnant, they said I’d I have to move out if I was going to have a baby. It was 1984 and I was just 18. I found out about St Michael’s and my son was...
A mother describes the life-changing impact of the Securing Change project and urges other parents to take part. “I was a mess I couldn’t leave the courts,” Lindsey is describing the moment when she found out her children would be taken into care. She had finished...
“It is my choice to work with Ann-Marie, no one’s forcing me, and no one is forcing her. Most of the other things I have to do is forced, so to speak, it’s part of a contract, if I don’t do it, I might lose Mia again,” Sophie explained. Feeling powerless...
A childhood of abuse and neglect during which a young mum had watched violence in her family home countless times left her frozen, speaking in a low monotone voice. She seemed unable to respond to any attempts by her baby to catch her attention. Elaine* was a very...
How St Michael’s helped an anxious first time expectant dad to overcome his problems. Roland was referred to St. Michael’s by the Teenphase Midwifery service. His partner Sophie was four months pregnant. Neither of them was in full-time employment or education....
