The calls to Barnardos are distressed, angry, sad and very much in need of support.

Mother & Baby Homes Report: Barnardos extends its helpline service

Barnardos has extended its Post Adoption Service helpline opening hours to meet the needs of those impacted by the Mother & Baby Homes Report. The confidential and professionally staffed helpline can be contacted at (01) 454 6388 and is open Monday - Friday, 9.30am - 4.30pm, for anyone needing to talk. Barnardos support service for adoptive parents, children and teenagers continues and is also available at that number.

Over the last two weeks, more than 150 birthmothers and birth family members, adopted adults and adults raised in institutional care, have contacted Barnardos Post Adoption Service. All are distressed, angry, sad and very much in need of support. Many are coming forward for the very first time to talk of their experiences.

Those making contact with the service since the report was launched have included birth mothers in their 70s and 80s with long buried traumatic memories of being frightened and lonely in a mother and baby home, and adopted adults who have been troubled most of their lives with the need to know who they are. Also in contact were the families of birthmothers who have died, deeply affected by what their mother might have experienced in a mother and baby home, as well as adults who were raised in homes and now want to take the first step in trying to find their families.

Christine Hennessy, Barnardos Post Adoption Service Leader, said: “Since the final report was launched on January 12, just two weeks ago, we have seen an outpouring of anger, hurt and grief across the country. In many ways, while this report was welcome, it can be triggering for birthmothers, birthfathers and adult adopted people who have had experience with the system. It was a dark period in Irish history that is still causing a ripple affect across the country today, and many are in need of support when faced with it. Our helpline will continue to provide professional and confidential support to anyone that needs it and is available Monday- Friday 9.30am-4.30pm. The service can be contacted at (01) 4546388 or by email adoption@barnardos.ie.”

SUPPORT LINE INFORMATION

The service can be contacted at (01) 4546388 or by email adoption@barnardos.ie

Barnardos are offering two online support meetings over the coming weeks:

For birthmothers - February 17th 10.30am-12.30pm

For adopted adults - February 19th 10.30am-12.30pm