Renewing Roots
About Renewing Roots
Fréa Renewing Roots supports former residents of Ireland's Mother and Baby and County Home institutions. We offer free, confidential advice and advocacy to individuals affected by institutional incarceration and abuse. Our service is open to former residents living in the north of England and their family members.
Rooted in trauma-informed practice with a person-centred approach, we listen to community members’ experiences and work with them towards their goals. The word Fréa comes from the Irish for ‘root’; at our root lies care, respect and a renewed hope for growth.
#TogetherWeGrow
How can we help former residents of Ireland’s Mother and Baby and County Homes?
We can assist with applications for:
Accessing birth and early life information and records
Tracing service for people actively seeking a reunion, wanting to make contact, or looking to share or seek information on their birth family.
The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme
Financial provision to support with health care needs
Counselling support
Information on the National Centre for Research and Remembrance
More widely, we can also assist with connecting to local services and community events. These include support with welfare entitlements, healthcare and connecting with social and cultural groups.
We really want to understand the lived experiences of former residents and make sure that our service is open, comprehensive and empathetic - so please so get in touch if you have any feedback or ideas.
“You are the first to listen, to empathise, and to understand the pain this has all caused. I feel so lucky that you are there for us.”
— RR community member