Aine spent her childhood in care and became homeless when she reached adulthood. After being involved in a serious car accident in 2017, Aine turned to Peter McVerry Trust to help her find a way out of homelessness.
She moved into her apartment in Co. Limerick in 2018.
“I didn’t have an easy life, I was in care most of my life so I grew up with it hard. I lost my partner two years ago in a bad accident so I went to Peter McVerry Trust for help. I was in a brace, I fought every day and I got the place,” Aine said.
As an 18-year-old, Aine experienced sleeping rough and sought emergency accommodation in hostels, too.
“It wasn’t easy sleeping on the streets because it wasn’t the place for me. It was really, really, hard. Then to go into a hostel and see things at my age, because I was only 18 at the time, it wasn’t easy for me because I’d never seen them before,” she said.
With a place of her own to call her home, Aine has been able to add her own touch to the place and spend more time doing the things she enjoys.
“It’s a lot better having your own place. It’s your home, it’s yours, it’s not like somebody is going to come and take it away. Especially with it being from the council, it can’t just be taken away from you. It’s your home, you make it yours,” said Aine.
“I love cooking and I’m doing this place up at the moment. I’ve a lot done to it as it is and there’s more I want to do. I love cooking, I love cleaning – my house is always clean and I’m always cooking dinners so I’m always up to date with everything,” she continued.
Being given a pathway out of homelessness and the support to adjust to living independently has helped Aine to focus on her education and work towards the career she wants.
“I have a link worker, she comes out every week. I see her once a week and basically to see what support I need in the house, make sure that I’m up to date with the bills, food and everything else. Peter McVerry Trust are good support,” said Aine.
“I’m starting college in September, I want to do Childcare Studies. It will be a two year course so I’ll get that done and out of the way with and work with children then to get my childcare qualifications. So, I’ve come a very long way for a girl that’s 21 in January – I’m doing well,” she concluded.
