Teresa's Story

Teresa came to Mater Dei (one of Depaul Ireland’s family projects in Belfast) when she was 18 with her new born daughter Joanne. She had to leave the family home due to overcrowding.

Throughout her teenage years Teresa misused alcohol and drugs but stopped when she became pregnant. When she arrived she was suffering from depression and anxiety and appeared very frightened. She attended counselling for a year in order to deal with trauma she suffered in her teenage years and from the physical abuse she suffered from Joanne’s father, which had caused the relationship to break down.

She has just recently completed the Princes Trust course which is a personal development programme for young people. During the 12 week programme she had a work placement in Marks and Spencer’s. The management of the store were so impressed with her enthusiasm and customer service skills they have offered her full time employment.

The team from Mater Dei and her mother attended her graduation ceremony. Teresa was given a special award for coming first in her class. During the ceremony she gave a presentation to the large group that gathered. The rapport she built with the audience that day could only have been dreamed about when she first came to Mater Dei.

Teresa is a remarkable young woman and mother. Joanne is a very happy child and still sees her father regularly. Teresa recently began a beautician course with the help of funding from The Princes Trust and Depaul Ireland. She tells us how much she appreciates the support she has received from the team to achieve her dream.

Return to Case Studies page.