I contacted Kinship Care NI not long after I took on the care of my two younger siblings. My mum died and then my dad died. We were devastated as a family and all grieving. There was no one to look after my younger brother and sister and the last thing I wanted was for them to be taken into care. I didn’t know where to start but I knew I had to put my grief to one side and be strong for my brother and sister.
Kinship Care NI were amazing. They listened to me and supported me every step of the way. 5 years on and my brother and sister are going great. They have attended lots of programmes and activities – my sister published her own book. They are both doing really well and excelling at everything they do. I feel so proud of them.
I would have been lost without the staff at Kinship Care NI. I have met other sibling carers and I feel much more confident. I am now on the Board of Trustees and using my own personal experience to inform their work and strategic direction. I feel part of something special and my confidence as grown so much.