Supported lodgings stories

Cheryl and Devon's story

Meet Cheryl Reardon who has been a Supported Lodgings provider for the last seven years.

When Cheryl's adult son and daughter left home, she felt like the house was empty: "I had suddenly been left in the house on my own, and I think the 'empty nest syndrome' was a killer for me, I just didn't like not having people around", explains Cheryl, who lives in Langley Park, "Supported Lodgings was a way to bring people back into my life and use my skills to help more young people."

Since then, Cheryl has provided a home for a huge number of young care leavers, equipping them with the life skills they need to take the next steps into adulthood.

Currently she provides Supported Lodgings for two young people, a 16 year old boy and a 19 year old girl, performing arts student, Devon.

Devon tells us about the first time she arrived at Cheryl's house: "With the circumstances I was coming from, I wasn't expecting such a homely environment. It was really nice, the day after I arrived, I was talking to Cheryl like she was the best friend I'd never had!"

"When you're in care you get the more 'motherly' aspect of being cared for, whereas in Supported Lodgings you also get the friend that puts things into perspective for you."

Cheryl agrees, adding "It's a fine line between looking after them and standing them on their own two feet and seeing them out the door."

"I think they really enjoy having a level of trust in a Supported Lodgings environment, and being able to do what they want, without being told what to do. They're free to make their own choices and learn about the consequences, I'm there to help guide them through that as well."

Cheryl doesn't have to do it all on her own though, she gets support from a dedicated social worker who is always on hand to help and advise her with any issues she may have. She also regularly catches up with other Supported Lodgings providers who have the same experiences as her.

"We get together to swap stories and have a laugh. We share experiences and ideas as to how we've got through different challenges, it's a great support network."

The various challenges and experiences Cheryl has gone through in her role, she says have all been worth it: "I feel proud of myself for doing it and I'm very proud of the young people who have developed from it as well.

"It's heartbreaking saying goodbye to them at the door when they leave, but it's also rewarding because you know you've helped them."