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Barnardos > Services > Barnardos Stories > Shannon's Story
After Shannon broke up with her partner, she and her three children Cara, James and Becky found themselves out on the street. Shannon took refuge from reality with her drug addiction and when Barnardos stepped in to help the situation was at crisis point. Shannon was homeless and socially isolated, with no help from family and no financial resources.
Shannon’s three children were all under six years of age and a temporary foster home was found for them together, while Shannon enrolled in a drug detoxification program.
The children had never been away from their mother before and in spite of their circumstances, missed Shannon during the week of their separation. However, they could not return to her without proper stable accommodation for the whole family.
Accordingly, Barnardos found and contacted Letty, Shannon’s mother, who lived locally. Mother and daughter had been estranged because of Shannon’s drug addiction and lifestyle choices. However, Barnardos persuaded Letty to re-consider and carefully helped to reconnect the family. The two women gradually took steps towards reconciliation.
The family moved in with the children’s grandmother as an interim measure. Shannon had made a commitment to change her life and immediately began a detoxification program. Living with Letty gave the children the practical and emotional stability they needed and within a short time they began to attend school regularly again.
With Barnardos' help, this precious family unit was able to remain together and achieved the additional benefit of reconciling with the children’s grandmother.
Temporary Family Care
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