Caitlain’s legacy of hope
OVERDOSE VICTIM’S MUM BACKS PROJECT
HELP for teenagers in her hometown will be tragic Caitlain Wright’s legacy.
Children’s charity Barnardo’s is to launch a new programme for young people in Whitley Bay, with cash donated by Caitlain’s mum.
Caitlain died just over a year ago after taking a fatal overdose of prescription medication.
The 17-year-old’s death left her mum Pauline and family and friends heartbroken.
But now Pauline has handed over cash donated in her daughter’s memory to Barnardo’s for the launch of ‘Caitlain’s Programme’ at the BASE, on the Esplanade in Whitley Bay.
Sessions for 14 to 18-year-olds will be held every Wednesday evening, from 4pm to 8pm.
The programme will encourage young people to talk, express their feelings, get involved in activities, participate in social enterprise projects and build friendships.
Justine Carmichael, project worker at The BASE, said: “Our hearts go out to Pauline and her family. We hope that Pauline’s generous donation can build something positive for young people like Caitlain. As part of Caitlain’s legacy, young people can know that there is a safe haven for them to be heard and build coping strategies for whatever is happening in their lives.”
Former Monkseaton High School pupil Caitlain seemed to have everything to live for.
An inquest heard how she had been at her boyfriend Jordan Ellis’s home, in Longbenton, when she took the tablets.
She was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle by paramedics. But despite doctors’ best efforts, nothing could be done to save her life.
Newcastle coroner, Karen Dilks, said the teenager had no previous history of self-harming and there was no evidence to suggest she intended to take her own life.
She concluded that Caitlain’s death was ‘misadventure.’
Pauline, 45, has always believed her daughter’s act had been a ‘cry for help’ that went tragically wrong.
And she is determined to try and stop other families suffering the same heartbreak.
A memorial mass was held at St Edward’s Catholic Church in Whitley Bay to mark the anniversary of Caitlain’s death, in July.
Donations totalling £1,300 were collected at the service and, following discussions between Pauline, Caitlain’s friends and Monkseaton High School, the idea for ‘Caitlain’s Programme’ was born.
And Pauline hopes it will provide a vital support network for young people at a difficult age.
“I think when people leave school, everyone and everything they have ever known disappears and their whole world changes,” she explained.
“They don’t get the support they had from their school, and their friends have all gone off to uni or college or are doing different things, and it’s these girls and boys who need extra help and motivation.
“Barnardo’s are doing fantastic work with girls at the moment and I’m going to put a lot of focus on trying to bring boys into the programme.
“We just want to give them the motivation and confidence to go one step further with their lives. What we are there to do is support them and be a scaffold for them to be able to move on with life.”
For more information, contact The Base on 0191 253 2127 or drop in to 26 Esplanade, Whitley Bay.