Mercy Mission

Ministry of Support for Young Women

‘Wellsprings’ was built by the Sisters of Mercy in the orchard of St. Maries of the Isle Convent in response to needs of teenage girls in Cork City in 1994. ‘Wellsprings’ was opened on September 19th 1995 and we provide alternative accommodation for young women with the aim of responding to each individual’s needs. A programme of care is offered which seeks to prepare each young person for the challenges and responsibilities of adulthood.

From the beginning we recognised the importance of aftercare and outreach support, in other words, always to be there for the girls who pass through ‘Wellsprings’. In 1999, Audrey Mulvihill was appointed Manager of ‘Wellsprings’. Audrey is the current manager and I moved on to the Outreach Care. I and three members of staff worked from ‘Wellsprings’ until April 2008 when we moved to a purpose built renovated unit in the grounds of St. Aloysius Secondary School, across the road from St. Maries of the Isle Convent. This renovation was financed by the Sisters of Mercy. Because of its location this outreach unit is very accessible to ‘Wellsprings’.

We open from 10am – 6pm and provide breakfast, lunch, shower and laundry facilities, computer and counselling. Sr. Julia, who lives with me in Lorg De, does reading and writing with girls who have difficulties, one afternoon a week.

As well as the above, we support girls with learning difficulties, personality disorders, mental health problems and addiction. This involves being available twenty four hours a day, seven days a week - when not in the unit we are always available on mobile phone.

Outreach support begins when the girls move on from ‘Wellsprings’ to their own places. This involves accompanying the girls to the local Community Welfare Officer’s office, filling in housing forms, accompanying them to the City Council Housing Department, sourcing and viewing flats, meeting landlords, sourcing deposits and rent allowance. We accompany and support each girl in setting up her flat i.e. Shopping for bed linen, kitchen utensils, groceries, setting up arrangements for paying her rent, making sure she has a rent book, E.S.B bills, Gas bills etc.

Each girl is made aware of M.A.B.S. (Money Advice and Budgeting Service), and accompanied to their office for interview. Most girls are visited by the local St. Vincent de Paul Conference and this is done at our request.

A high percentage of girls are lone parents and very often in abusive relationships with abusive boyfriends. These young mothers are given a high level of support. As well as all of the above we try to get crèche and pre-school places for the children and provide transport where necessary. We encourage their social work Department to give support, sourcing free legal aid, visiting the local Garda station, setting up appointments with the domestic violence social worker for one to one parenting.

The following is a list of how we offer support: We:
Visit psychiatric wards, provide toiletries and do washing.
Visit the prison.
Send birthday cards and gift voucher on each girl’s birthday.
Encourage each girl to take care of her health – this involves advising the girls about her diet, smoking habits.
Regarding her sexual health, we encourage and accompany the girls when attending the S.T.D clinic.

On a lighter note, we offer:
DVD morning
‘Colour me Beautiful’ evening
Cinema evening
Walking club
Swimming evening
Hallowe’en party
Santa party for the girl’s children
On the week before Christmas we have Mass, Christmas dinner, party and each girl is given a Christmas present.

We work closely with the local services – i.e. Homeless services, social work Department, local Gardai.

Sr. Joan O'Leary