Naomi’s Story

“Nobody knew how to help me”

When I gave birth to my second daughter in the middle of the 2020 lockdown, my world felt like it was collapsing. I was struggling with postnatal depression, managing a long-term health condition, and going through a painful marital separation. The pressure felt unimaginable. But with the support of a Home-Start Cymru volunteer, I eventually found my strength and began to rebuild my life.

Early Struggles: Hidden in Plain Sight

After my daughter was born in 2020, I struggled more than I had expected. I experienced postnatal depression and separated from my husband at the same time. Suddenly I was trying to manage everything as a single mum to a baby and a toddler, while also living with type 1 diabetes.

I’ve always been a very private person, and I kept up the appearance that everything was fine. On the outside, I tried to look like I was coping, but inside things were falling apart. My physical and mental health were deteriorating, even though I tried to hide it.

Because of the depression, I wasn’t managing my blood glucose properly. Later, I was diagnosed with diabulimia — a dangerous eating disorder where people with type 1 diabetes restrict insulin for weight control. At the time, I didn’t even realise I had it.

When Systems Fell Short

As time went on, my condition got worse. I was admitted to hospital several times because my blood glucose levels were dangerously high. That led to children’s services becoming involved.

They tried to get the mental health team involved, but it felt like nobody really knew how to help me. Everything took such a long time. I remember feeling like I was just left waiting while things continued to spiral.

Finding Home-Start Cymru

At one point, I had a rare moment of clarity and determination. I remembered hearing someone briefly mention Home-Start Cymru, so I decided to look them up myself.

I filled out the form online and, within a couple of weeks, I heard back. They quickly matched me with a volunteer.

That volunteer was Hassana, and meeting her became a real turning point in my journey.

A Lifeline in a Lonely Time

Hassana was warm and friendly from the beginning. She seemed to instinctively know when to listen and when to offer advice. Even though she didn’t have diabetes herself, she made a real effort to understand what I was going through. That meant everything to me.

For 12 weeks, Hassana visited me every week. Sometimes we went for a walk together, and other times we simply sat and talked over a cup of tea. Those small, ordinary moments became lifelines during a very lonely time.

For the first time in a long while, I felt like someone truly saw me and listened to me. That support made all the difference.

Recovery and Renewal

Gradually, things began to improve. My health stabilised and I stopped being admitted to hospital. Eventually, children’s services were able to close their case.

Regaining control of my life helped me see possibilities again. In September, I went back to university to continue studying children’s nursing. I’m halfway through now, with another year left to go.

My experiences have completely shaped what I want to do in the future. I now hope to become a diabetes specialist nurse.

I want to be the nurse I didn’t have — someone who understands not just the medical side of diabetes, but also the mental and emotional challenges, especially for young people transitioning from children’s to adult services.

The Power of Presence

Hassana’s support didn’t just help my recovery — it also helped me rediscover my confidence as a mother.

She helped me realise that my children didn’t need perfection from me. They just needed me to be present. The housework could wait. I didn’t have to be everything all the time.

That shift in perspective was incredibly freeing.

Now I’m much more open about sharing my story. I’ve realised how powerful talking can be. By speaking about what I went through, I’m able to process my own experiences and hopefully help someone else feel a little less alone.

A Message of Hope

If there’s one thing I would say to any parent who is struggling, it’s this: reach out for help.

The support from Home-Start is so personal, and their volunteers are amazing. Having someone there who listens without judgement can make such a difference.

You’re not alone.