Meet Sherryn

Sherryn was living in her car with her children when she came to Barnardos for help. They moved into our crisis accommodation and received intensive support to create a safe and stable home. Sherryn’s story shows that with the right support, children and families can recover and thrive.

“My name is Sherryn and I’m 32 years old. I’m currently residing in Barnardos accommodation with my two youngest children: Layla who is four and my one-year-old son Stephen. My eldest daughter doesn’t live with me.

I would describe my childhood as uncertain and lonely. I always had a yearning for something but I didn’t know what it was. Now I know I was yearning for family – for my mum.

My mother had a long drug history. Drugs were the reason why I was put into foster care. She was just very lost and I felt the same way from a young age. When I was a teenager I ran away from my foster family and got into drugs. I was in a dark place. But I found myself when I had children of my own.

It took me a long time but I found who I was and who I wanted to be, for my children.

When I came to Barnardos, Layla was two and I was pregnant with Stephen and we were homeless and living in my car. I was going around in circles. My family was going around in circles. Barnardos helped me break that cycle. Without them I wouldn’t be here with my kids today.

I want to prove society and statistics wrong. I have my two babies in my care 24/7 and I think I’m doing a pretty good job. I feel proud of how far I’ve come and I’m determined to give them a better childhood than I had.”