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Articles by Family Help Trust staff members
These articles are posted in reverse chronological order (latest at the top):
Five years on ...
by Maggie Riddell, 14th July 2008
Recently Family Help Trust has cause for celebration as a young mother successfully graduated from our program after being with our service for five years.
The young mother who I will call Anne initially presented with an assortment of issues. She had two children, one aged three and a new born. Anne was on the methadone programme; however she continued to seek illegal drugs. This placed pressure on her financially and she appeared unable to prioritise the care and needs of her children.
To supplement her income she stole from friends and family members, selling or pawning stolen items so that she could fund her addiction. Working on the streets was another way that Anne funded her addiction. This choice of employment placed her at risk of emotional and physical harm.
Anne knew and acknowledged her situation was dire and that she could lose her children. Nevertheless she continued to place the children at risk by placing them in unsafe situations. She would often leave the children alone in the car for hours on end while she purchased her drugs and partied with other addicts. My priority was to begin the process of ensuring the children were safe and we were able to do that by working closely with extended family members.
With family members unable to find a solution and friends quickly disappearing, she found herself isolated from any sense of normality and her social life consisted of tenuous relationships with others suffering from addiction. Family members did however continue to care for the children and ensure that a daily routine was maintained. Family Help Trust worked with family and the day-to-day care removed from Anne until she had completed the necessary work on herself.
What Anne did do well was to be at home for our weekly appointments and this combined with her honesty enabled me to be aware of what was occurring, which meant that I was aware of what was happening in the home. I monitored the risk factor for the children by ensuring they received medical treatment when required. Regular visits to the preschool to check on the children's development was also part of my role.
After a time Anne began to listen and take small steps to put her life back together. Weekly visits continued and our relationship was sustained by honest communication and awareness on her part that my concern for both her and the children was genuine.
Four years later and she was no longer on the methadone programme and is completely drug free. Anne no longer uses alchol or tobacco. A savings account was opened and she is now saving to buy her own home.
Five years on and at the time of her graduation Anne is attending an education facility and training to be a social worker. While the older child continues to struggle in the school system, it is likely that this could be a result of early parenting. The younger child is developing well.
The staff at Family Help Trust are proud of Anne's accomplishment and we all wish her and the children well.Little Miss 3½
by Dawn Jefferies, 26th March 2008
I know Christmas has its "ups" and "downs" and in our line of work a lot of our focus as social workers is on assisting families with the "downs". However I am reminded of a truly inspiring story that lifted my spirits and reminded me there are also stories of great courage and I believe this is one of those stories.
Little Miss 3½ is an only child, bright bubbly and very smart. She was attending an end of year function, and Mums and Dads were there mingling and chatting with each other. It was a hot summer day and a paddling pool had been put up for the children to play in.
No one except Little Miss 3½ noticed that a little 15 monther had crawled to the side of the paddling pool and fallen in. Little Miss 3½ without hesitation ran to the pool and pulled the baby out of the water saving it from drowning. This incident happened in a blink of an eye. It was then that the adults realised what had just occurred (and what could have potentially happened).
Little Miss 3½ received a special bravery award from her pre-school just before Christmas. 2007 could have potentially been a bleak Christmas for the family of the 15 month old if it hadn't been for Little Miss 3½'s quick actions and her inherent/instinctive concern/regard for another human life.
I have to say I am extremely proud of this young lady, her story really touched my heart, and that is why I thought I would share this little gem with you!Christmas 2007
by Maggie Riddell, 5th December 2007
Welcome to the social workers page on Family Help Trust website.
Christmas has arrived and everywhere I go I hear festive music. Family and friends are talking about what to buy for loved ones (or not). While I too am looking forward to what this time of the year offers in regard to a holiday and quality time with family, I am reminded of the families who do not enjoy this time of the year.
A variety of reasons contribute to the lack of enthusiasm for our clients at this time of the year. The ones that come to mind are those on limited income, with no close extended family and childhood memories of their own dysfunctional experiences.
What our clients achieve through the year is a credit to them, making a commitment to lifestyle change so that their children will have advantages that they did not have while growing up. Working with the families around this time of the year inspires me as I talk with them about putting their own traditional stamp on the festive season.
A mother with two young children has decided to make pancakes for breakfast on the day. This might sound like a simple thing to do but for this mother it is about changing the only pattern she has ever known. Many of our caregivers make choices that take courage and strength and they do this because they want something better for their children.
As I reflect on the past year and the work we do I cannot help but be reminded of the purpose of Christmas. It is a celebration of birth and the lesson for all of us must be to care and celebrate children and what they add to our lives. If caregivers are encouraged and supported to address issues in their lives that have a negative affect on children then I want to celebrate their courage, commitment and success.
I hope that all readers have a wonderful time over the Christmas break and appreciate what it is that enables them to do so.
For all the families I have worked alongside I congratulate you on your success and look forward to catching up with you in the New Year.
For those of you who have contributed to the running if the agency I would like to say thank you and for you to know that the achievements we have are made possible through your generosity.
Happy Christmas to you all.
