Holy Family National School are delighted to be in a position to offer the Rainbows programme to children in our school who have suffered a loss through bereavement or parental separation/divorce. Currently we have 9 members of staff trained as facilitators and co-ordinators. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Ms Dempsey in confidence using the email address below. Also, keep an eye on school emails as Ms Dempsey notifies parents of upcoming programmes throughout the year.
Rainbows is a free, voluntary service for children and young people experiencing loss following bereavement and parental separation. The Rainbows service is an inclusive service, supporting children and young people experiencing grief and loss resulting from bereavement/parental separation/parental relationship breakdown /divorce. Attending the programme provides children with an opportunity to meet with other children of a similar age and loss experience.
Rainbows Ireland
The Vision of Rainbows
Our vision is that the grief experienced by children and young people in Ireland, following a significant loss in their lives from bereavement or loss through parental separation and divorce, is recognised and that they are offered the understanding and support necessary to foster emotional well-being.
The Mission of Rainbows
Rainbows Ireland works to enable children and young people who have experienced a significant loss to access peer support. This support happens within their local communities as they seek to come to terms with their grief and loss.
The Aim of Rainbows
We aim to fulfil our mission by establishing, maintaining and supporting a national network of accredited Programme Centres, where trained facilitators are recruited by each Programme Centre Management Body to guide participants through the various Rainbows peer support group based programmes.
Summary of Helplines:
Barnardos Bereavement: Monday – Thursday: 10.00 – 12.00pm – 01 4732110
One Family Helpline: Separation/Lone Parents Lo-call 1890662212
Legal Aid Board Information Helpline: 1890 615200
Children’s Rights Alliance: Monday 10am -2pm and Wednesday 2pm -7pm.
You can call us on 01 9020494 or email help@childrensrights.ie
New Barnardos Dedicated Helpline: Phone: 1800 910 123 between 10.00am and 2.00pm
Separation/Divorce Support:
One Family Helpline: Please call “askonefamily” Lo-call 1890662212 if you need extra support.
Bereavement:
The Barnardos Bereavement Helpline is open
Monday to Thursday 10am – 12.00pm: 01 4732110
How to tell children someone has died: (British Psychological Society)
- https://www.psych.ox.ac.uk/files/research/how-to-tell-children-that-someone-has-died.pdf?ct=t(EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_9_9_2019_10_26_COPY_01)– very helpful guide for a parent or guardian
Two new very valuable resources from the Irish Hospice Foundation:
Grieving in Exceptional times: Video:
Winston’s Wish:
- How to say Goodbye when a funeral is not possible: https://bit.ly/2UDPGjB
- https://www.winstonswish.org/alternative-goodbyes/
Barnardos also have opened a more general helpline for wider issues:
New Barnardos Dedicated Helpline: Phone: 1800 910 123 between 10.00am and 2.00 pm
Monday to Friday or by emailing parentsupport@barnardos.ie.