Chelsey Goold was just six when she was removed from her home and taken to a foster family. Despite being so young Chelsey remembers the day she left her home vividly.

"It wasn’t always a happy home, it was a home that Santa never visited, but it was the only home she knew". Chelsey said: “My poor dad had a problem with drink and when Mum left, everything went bad. A social worker picked me up and took me to a house. A lady welcomed me and then we went to Asda to get me some clothes. I found this odd at the time, and I had no idea then she was my new foster mum. The bedroom was clean and tidy, and the bed was nicely made. It’s funny how I remember that.

I moved in to a children's home

“I was with my foster family for eight years, but sadly when the relationship broke down I moved into a children’s home. This was a lonely place. I was on my own yet surrounded by lots of children and teenagers who all had problems.

“Christmas was not a magical time for me. I have no memory of celebrating Christmas with my birth family. It was my foster family who first introduced me to Santa. I had no idea he existed and needed to be ‘taught’ Christmas. I think that’s why I clung onto Santa for so long, and why I was so reluctant to hear the truth about him.

"Despite what happened afterwards, I’m thankful that my foster mum gave me those special magical moments that I can look back on. Every child needs a bit of magic in their lives, and especially children who’ve been taken into care.”

Isolated and alone 

Some years later Chelsey and her husband Owen, who was also adopted as a child, had three children under three. They had no family support and Chelsey felt quite isolated and alone. Chelsey’s health visitor referred her to Home-Start Glasgow North and North Lanarkshire.

Chelsey continues: “Life as an adult was, if anything, even harder than as a child. Relationships always became toxic, and my mental health deteriorated rapidly, resulting in hospitalisations. It was only when I met my husband did I feel like things were getting better.

“When we had children, I was desperate to give them the love I never had growing up. I had this image in my mind of the perfect home – safe, secure and full of love. I put myself under huge pressure and felt I was constantly failing.

“My three-year-old is showing signs of autism among other symptoms and I have one-year-old twins to juggle. I don’t have any friends because of my trust issues, so I don’t get out of the house much. My husband is out at work, so I have hardly any adult conversation during the day. It’s a lonely place to be.

“This, along with my worries about my daughter’s health was getting me down. I’d had a constant battle trying to get her seen by the right specialists. By the time Home-Start Glasgow North and North Lanarkshire got involved I was tired, stressed and sad.

“Pamela from Home-Start came to visit me. I was quickly matched with my volunteer, Kirsty. Since then Pamela and Kirsty have been a huge support to me. Without fail every week Kirsty comes to the house. We go out for a coffee or to soft play. We try to do something different every week.

Home-Start gave me strength

“Having been through what I have, I’m very protective of my children. I don’t open up easily. But Kirsty showed me that there are people you can rely on and trust. By being there for me, she gave me the strength to be there for my children.

“Kirsty made me feel like I was doing a good job as a mum. She was that hand to guide me to becoming more confident and secure in myself. I’m so grateful I had Kirsty. She is my cheerleader and she helps me set my boundaries with others.

“There are so many times when Kirsty stopped me from spiralling or giving up. I’m not used to someone complimenting me. I’ve raised myself and was used to doing things on my own. Kirsty showed me that there is strength in being with others. And that mine and the children’s lives are better when we are part of a community.”

“I try and make up for all the absent people in the children’s lives. They don’t have aunties, uncles or cousins – they just have each other. Before I’d focus on buying more and more stuff and I’d get myself in debt, until I realised it’s not about the gifts. That’s not how I can make up for the lack of extended family. I can do it by making magical moments and memories with them.

Non judgemental support

“Home-Start has never judged me. Never told me what to do. They built me up to be the best mum I can be. I’m giving my children a childhood they deserve. And every Christmas will be one filled with joy and magic. They’ll never need to be taught Christmas, because it will be something they’ll feel, every year.”