Rebecca

Welfare

Things came to a head for Rebecca when she lost her temper one day at her children’s school.

‘I wasn’t handling things well at the time because of stress and had an anger outburst at my children’s school,’ says Rebecca. ‘I had anger management issues and dealt with things by getting angry and frustrated.

Rebecca says that it’s not her style to ask for help, but after a public health nurse referred her to The Salvation Army she swallowed her pride.

When she joined the year-long Family Mentoring programme Rebecca was assessed and helped to develop an individual plan with concrete goals, something she had always struggled with in the past.

She was also linked up with a volunteer mentor who acts as a role model, provides encouragement and support, and generally helps Rebecca to work toward realising her goals.

Rebecca says she felt like she couldn’t talk to her own parents and this was repeated when her own children were scared of how she might react.

‘I always felt that I was not a very good parent because I couldn’t handle stress very well. Now I am learning not to yell as much and to use more positive discipline with my children – my children have already noticed a change for the better.’

The family is also doing a lot more together now.

‘It’s good having someone to talk to about issues and get advice and support. I find that I can trust my mentor and she is there to help. Doing this programme is about breaking the cycle.’