A mum has told how a support worker from a Paisley charity helped turn her life around – and even helped her give birth when she had no one else.
When Kristine Rode went into labour last year, she was devastated to realise she didn’t have anyone to help her.
Her partner had to remain at home with the couple’s other child, Oliver, five, and she had no one else to call.
Facing the terrifying prospect of giving birth with no one to hold her hand, Kristine realised she only had one other person in her life she could count on, and that was her support worker Kerry.
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The young mum – who is supported by Paisley-based Home-Start Renfrewshire and Inverclyde – had been put in touch with Kerry earlier that year, and had helped her at a time when she felt alone.
When Kristine turned up to the hospital to give birth to Enija, who is now 20 months, she said Kerry was already there and waiting for her.
She said: “I called Kerry and told her I was on my way to the hospital to have my daughter.
“I asked if she would be with me. By the time I got to the hospital she was already there.
“Seeing her in the waiting room I felt such relief. It was then I realised I could depend on her for anything.
“It’s funny, when I was in labour I think Kerry was more worried than me.
“She’d ask the doctor questions and make me have water.
“She was the first person to see Enija – something I’m really happy about.
“She told me how she saw her colour change to pink and how touched she was to share in such a special moment.”
Mum-of-two Kristine, who is originally from Latvia, was put in touch with Kerry after the family moved to Greenock when she was four months pregnant.
Her partner worked long hours, and she spent many days alone with Oliver, leaving her feeling isolated.
She was then referred to Home-Start, which is based in the town’s Back Sneddon Street, and the team helped her turn her life
around.
The dedicated support worker helped push Kristine to get out and meet other people at family groups, and even helped them get organised for the arrival of their new baby.
The dedicated support from Kerry even helped Kristine when her relationship broke down.
Along with her two young children, Kristine had to start all over again, but with the help of Kerry, she said taking that step was the “best day of her life”.
She added: “The day I could move into a new flat just for me and the kids was the best day in my life.
“At last I felt like I was in control of my own life.”
Kristine also praised Home-Start for supporting her during the pandemic, including her new support worker Jillian, who took over from Kerry last year.
Home-Start spent thousands of pounds throughout the last year to ensure families got the support they needed while impacted by Covid-19.
Working with 166 families in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde, the staff and a team of 110 volunteers have carried out more than 1,200 doorstep deliveries to those who needed support by supplying activities and food
parcels.
Helping with home-schooling, financial and work-related problems, social isolation and mental health are just some of the issues staff helped parents with throughout the year from March 2020 and April.
Activity packs, fruit and vegetables boxes, online support groups and financial support are just some of the ways the Paisley-based charity has helped families throughout 2020.
Kristine said: “When lockdown started the groups stopped and home visits were no longer allowed. Those first few months being at home with Oliver and Enija were so hard.
“The craft and activity packs Home-Start sent helped to keep us occupied during the long days at home.
“Without Home-Start supporting me through the pandemic I’d be in a huge depression right now.
“After so many years alone and with very little, I now have everything I need.”
Home-Start manager Iain McDonald said: “We are privileged at Home-Start to work with families during some of the most important times in their lives, from giving birth to their first child to helping mum prepare for their child’s first day at
school.
“Kristine’s story is especially lovely, because it illustrates the warmth and trust that exist between our families, volunteers and staff.”
