Terry's Story

Terry moved into Sundial House, our long-term accommodation project, when it first opened in September 2008. He had been living in a project for street drinkers since its early days and had previously been homeless for many years. Sundial House is the first time he has ever had his own room!

When he was a child, his parents separated. His mother left the country and his father was a heavy drinker. Terry grew up in an institution and over time he became close to his dad but remained distant from his mum.

Terry’s dad died two weeks before Sundial House opened and sadly Terry found the body. His first Christmas in Sundial was a difficult one for him, because he was still in the early stages of grief.

One bright moment came when he received news that his mother would be in Dublin over Christmas for the first time in years.

Now he had a home in Sundial, he could host a visit from his mum. On the day, the staff prepared tea and biscuits and made sure the visitors’ room was pristine.

Terry was nervous before his mother’s visit. It lasted only twenty minutes but it had a big impact on him. He was proud that he was able to show his mother he had a place of his own now and, after she left and he became upset at the absence of her relationship in his life, staff were able to support him and provide an empathetic, listening ear.

Almost twelve months later, Terry’s mother has visited him twice more in Sundial. It’s still tough on him but now he is beginning to become more confident in having a place to call home.

Return to Case Studies page.