Stories
"In prison I felt really alone, but I'm back in touch with my brothers now and its all looking up"
Jamie's parents were addicted to alcohol and heroin and were unable to take care of him and his siblings. By the time he turned 16 he had already been caring for his three younger brothers for many... Read more »
"I was depressed and taking drugs, Drive Ahead helped me to turn it all around"
Liam, 17, was living in a hostel for homeless young people and was finding it very difficult. He was very depressed and under medical supervision. As a result of his depression and his difficult situation... Read more »
"They went out of their way to help, Depaul UK actually made me feel like a person."
"I've never had a proper relationship with my mum, I found it difficult to talk to her and I was rebellious. I left home at 14 because of a row with my dad. I stayed at a friend's house. I didn't want... Read more »
"I had lost all my confidence, but they made me see that I was worth fighting for"
Nineteen year old Ben was discharged from the army on medical grounds, leaving him with no income and no savings. Before long he had to give up his tenancy and found himself homeless. His mental state... Read more »
"Since being at Porter Street, I've learnt what life is about"
At every place that Mel called home she suffered emotional and physical abuse, first from her father, then her stepbrother and then her foster mother. The trauma of the abuse she'd endured was taking... Read more »
"I almost lost my family, but Depaul helped me mend things with my parents"
When sixteen year old George was referred to Oldham Reconnect, we learned that he had been given an ultimatum by his father to either change his behavior or move out. George's father said he didn't... Read more »
"They helped me find my self-belief, before I had their help, my life was not worth living"
Seventeen year old Kate would alternate between being incredibly withdrawn, and incredibly aggressive. Let down by everyone she had ever trusted, and abused since an early age by the people who were... Read more »
"Me and my baby have a better future now, and I can be a better mum"
Sandra had a very chaotic and unstable childhood, and she was moved into a foster home for her own safety. When it seemed that things were improving in her family home she moved back, but it wasn't... Read more »
"Depaul UK gave me the strength to make a new start in a new place"
Ivor was serving a twenty week sentence for a motoring offence at Rochester Young Offenders Institute, when he found out that both of his parents had died. Whilst in prison he developed depression and... Read more »
"After my mum died, everything went wrong. I was going to leave home and join a gang"
Seventeen year old Louis was heavily involved in a local gang. He wanted to break all ties with them, but was afraid of the repercussions. At home he was still struggling to come to terms with the... Read more »
