My name is Geraldine and I am 21 years old
Category: Independent Visitor Scheme
When I was 15 I was in a Childrens' Home in Belfast and was convinced I didn't have a friend in the whole world. I hated the staff in the home, as well as all social workers. Nobody ever listened to me and I frequently got so frustrated I had outbursts of violence. I ran away all the time and was always 'self harming'.
I had fallen in with a bad crowd (some of whom were joyriding) and was sniffing, and smoking blow.
One day my Key Worker told me about the Independent Visitors Scheme and asked if I was interested. I said I might be - as anything was better than the way I was.
I met my Independent Visitor at the home one afternoon and she seemed okay, so we agreed to go out the following week. I was a bit nervous but I soon relaxed as I realised she wanted to do whatever I wanted to do - and that was a first!
We went for a burger and a chat and found we had a lot of interests in common - even though she was a lot older than me. Our relationship grew and I really looked forward to our outings - especially as I got to choose. We did lots of things together, we went to the cinema, had barbecues, went bowling, had walks in forest parks and had meals in restaurants. But it was more than the outings, my Independent Visitor LISTENED to me and accepted me and gave me encouragement to talk calmly with the staff in the home - instead of erupting into violence.
I have calmed down a lot in the past four years and am no longer violent, or feel the need to 'self harm'. I don't sniff or smoke anything. I choose my friends more wisely these days too.
I am very grateful to the Independent Visitor Scheme for helping me to get control of my life.