Aoife's Story

When Aoife moved into temporary accommodation, her baby was just two months old. Soon after, her public health nurse visited and told her about the Child Development Homelessness Project. Aoife was unsure at first, but she agreed to accept the referral.

A support worker met Aoife at the hotel and explained the project. Together, they developed a clear plan to focus on Aoife’s parenting needs and her baby’s early development during this time. One of the first sessions was a 30-minute Newborn Observation. This looked at how Aoife’s baby responded to sound, light, and to Aoife’s face and voice. It also helped Aoife understand why her baby cried and how to respond when she was upset. This gave Aoife greater confidence in her role as a parent.

The support worker also delivered a “My Place to Play” session. Aoife received a baby mat and toys and learned how to use them to support tummy time. This helped her baby build strength in her neck and shoulders. Aoife could see her baby growing stronger with each session. The toys supported hand-eye coordination, movement, and early language development. The foldable mat was easy to store and carry, which suited life in temporary accommodation.

“Our focus is on meeting families where they are. Small, practical supports can make a real difference to a parent’s confidence and a child’s early development, especially in the context of homelessness.”

Support worker

Books and storytelling were also a key part of the project. The support worker brought storybooks and puppets and showed Aoife how to use her voice, sounds, and actions to engage her baby. As her baby grew and became more mobile, Aoife learned new ways to keep her engaged during story time. She also learned how to use rhymes to support speech and language development. Her child now loves books and has a calm bedtime routine that includes a story.

The project also provided emotional support. Living in homelessness is stressful. The support worker offered a non-judgemental listening ear, often over a cup of tea. Aoife was introduced to a local toddler group. The support worker attended with her at first, as Aoife felt nervous. Now, both Aoife and her child attend regularly. The group supports her child’s social development and helps Aoife build strong local support networks.