‘When I left care I had nowhere to turn for support’

SLEEPING on sofas, going from place to place and homeless, young Jacinta McAuliffe was struggling to keep her life going.

She became homeless after leaving State care and had no support but was lucky to get help at a charity care centre.

“When I left care I had no where to turn to for support and found myself staying at friends’ places and sleeping on sofas. I wasn’t happy, I had no support and was moving from place to place with no direction. When I moved here to Chéad Chéim it was so different.

“I had my own room and got great support from the staff here and could turn to them for advice when I needed it,” she said.

From Dublin, the 21-year-old has managed to turn her sights on her future after being able to find a regular roof over head.

She added: “I was lucky as there weren’t many places available. I really struggled to keep on my feet when I left care but the staff here changed all that. They were so good to me and showed me how to have more confidence in myself.”

Jacinta has moved on to live in private rented accommodation and Focus Ireland staff link in with her to support her.

She is also volunteering in a community-based project working with children to gain experience that will help her develop her career.