At 14 years old, Aaliyah had a very poor relationship with her parents.  Lacking love and affection at home, she started going out a lot and hanging around with older men.  At first she thought they liked her for herself, but soon they cruelly betrayed her trust and started to abuse her.  On one occasion a 'boyfriend' pulled her out of his car by her hair and threatened to cut off her legs with an axe, before driving her to a hotel room ‘to have his friends come over and do what they wanted to me’. It was one of Barnardo’s ... READ MORE

Judith, 16, was referred to a Barnardo's project after multiple incidences of being sexually abused by three different perpetrators spanning a period of 4 to 5 years.  She was finding it difficult to accept that none of the abuse was her fault and that she was not responsible for what happened to her. Our counsellor worked with Judith over 12 one-on-one counselling sessions where she was able to express her feelings of hatred and anger regarding some family members and her abusers.  Time was spent exploring her strengths and abilities, which helped build her ... READ MORE

Buying a Barnardo’s Real Gift like Back On Your Feet helps fund the important work we do with children and young people like Chris. It will not only make a great Christmas gift for a loved one, it will help transform the lives of children. Chris was made homeless after his relationship with his adoptive parents broke down. He initially ‘sofa surfed’ with friends which came to an abrupt end a couple of days before Christmas last year. Chris was left in a vulnerable situation and was placed by Harrogate social care services to Barnardo's emergency supported lodgings placement in Scarborough. Barnardo's was able to ... READ MORE