Belfast NSPCC worker's heart still lies in Fermanagh

A FERMANAGH native who now works for the NSPCC in Belfast said her heart still lies within the rural county.

Phyllis Stephenson (née Tunney),  grew up on a small farm in the townland of Garvery, near Belleek, but following a long career with the NSPCC, was recently appointed to work in the charity's Child Safety Online Team.

Within the role she works on a project to address child sexual abuse, and she is relishing the challenge of contributing to such a vital area of child protection.

However, she also relishes returning to visit her native Fermanagh whenever she gets the chance, where she enjoys "the much slower pace of life".

“I was so fortunate to have had such a happy time growing up," Mrs. Stephenson said, reflecting on her rural upbringing.

"We didn’t have mains water or electricity until I was nine-years-old, but living on the farm was wonderful.

"My mum and dad always found jobs for us to do, whether it was bringing water from the well, feeding the hens or helping with cattle, hay or turf."
 
However, as with many rural-dwellers, the time soon came for Mrs. Stephenson to spread her wings and she then embarked on her studies in Psychology at Queen's University, Belfast.

After graduating, she completed a Master’s degree in social work in 1994 and worked in a number of jobs in Belfast.

Then, in 1999, she moved to a new job in NSPCC NI to undertake therapeutic work with young people who had been impacted by abuse.
 
Just before she began working at NSPCC NI, she married her husband, Paul, who also worked in child protection.

Naturally, the wedding was held in Fermanagh, with the reception in the spectacular setting of Lusty Beg Island!

And just two years later, a job arose in NSPCC NI’s newly formed Child Protection in Sport Unit. As sport was a passion of Paul’s, it was the perfect job for him. Soon the two of them were working in the same organisation!

“In the early days we worked at two different bases but now as home workers we work within feet of each other," Mrs. Stephenson said. "Working for the same organisation has given us a real understanding of each other’s work and also helped us support each other.

"Some wonder about how we manage to work so closely together but we have been married for twenty-five years and have three  children so we must be doing something right!”

All these years later, working for the NSPCC remains Mrs. Stephenson's passion.

"Every story was different, and I was constantly amazed by the strength and determination of the young people and their families," she said. "It was a privilege to work in NSPCC NI to help them recover and get on with their lives after such traumatic experiences.”

Phyllis’s work with the charity has extended far beyond her actual job.  Over the years, her whole family has been involved in sponsored walks, street collections and wrapping presents in shopping centres to raise money for the charity.

Unsurprisingly, she and Paul were awarded ‘Employee volunteers of the year’ by The NSPCC in 2018.
 
Throughout her long career with NSPCC NI, Phyllis continues to return to her beloved Fermanagh whenever she can to see family and friends. 
 
 “I adore my job but can’t deny that sometimes it can be very difficult," she said. "(Especially) when I hear harrowing stories about terrible things that happen to children - that’s when Paul and I pack the children into the car and head back home.

"When I reach Boa Island, I feel myself begin to relax and enjoy the much slower pace of life."