An Introduction to

1. An Introduction to

2. The Purpose of Anam Cara A national organisation providing a lifeline to bereaved parents through online and face to face Peer Support services. .

3. Anam Cara’s Mission • Anam Cara will make a difference and reduce isolation for bereaved families affected by the death of a child or children, regardless of the age of the child or circumstances of death. • Anam Cara will do this by providing easily accessible, quality support services, signposting and information through a safe and secure online or face to face environments.,

4. Anam Cara’s Organisations Values • Quality • Compassion and Empathy • Inclusivity • Trust • Collaboration

5. Our Vision “Every family throughout Ireland will have the relevant support services they need following the death of their son or daughter”

6. The Need for Anam Cara • The intensity of the grief experienced after the death of child, of any age • Anguish & isolation families experience • Lack of access to information & support services available in the community

7. The Facts • Approximately 2,500 families each year experience the death of a child between ages of 0 – 44 years (CSO Statistics Ireland/Northern Ireland) • Sudden deaths, outside a hospital or hospice system often find themselves outside the realms of any bereavement support • The intense grief can last longer than society realises

8. The Impact • Anam Cara has made an impact with 5,350 parents since 2008 • Minimum of 80 events each year across the 32 Counties • Provides an important link to information and additional services • Currently 7 active Regional Support Groups

9. Our Timeline

10. Anam Cara’s Structure Bereaved Parents Leinster Region Connaught Region Regional Structure Anam Cara Support Groups & Events Co-Facilitated by Anam Cara Volunteers & Professional Facilitators Ulster Region Munster Region Service Quality Review Panel CEO/Central Office Support Board of Directors

11. Who can Anam Cara help? Anam Cara is an inclusive Organisation Our services are available to: • Any parent or family who have experienced the death of child, regardless of age or circumstances of death. • Across all communities in Ireland • Whether it be a recent loss or one that happened many years ago

12. So Many Families Source: Central Statistics Office Average Number of families affected in Irish Republic each year is approximately 2,257

13. Web Services www.anamcara.ie Resources Information Message forums Practical issues Professional bodies Self help Tributes Information on our events National reach Important links Direct email to us Signposting to other services Anam Cara Services • Face-to-Face Services • Parent Evenings – Anam Cara Groups • Bereavement Information Evenings • Social and Remembrance Events – • Creative events – • Opportunities to meet other • bereaved parents/families • Information line – 085 2888 888 • Lending library and access to • Information at each support group • Local and national reach All Anam Cara services are offered free of charge to parents and families

14. Our Focus To provide and safe and comfortable online and face to face forums to facilitate parent to parent support with appropriate professional intervention.

15. Peer support….Is a special kind of supportRef. Kari Dyregrov & Atle Dyregrov • Reduces Social Isolation • Provides a safe place where we can be ourselves • Recognition, Understand & normalise the intense grief • Time out for parents– let the mask drop • Sharing promotes models of surviving • Provides a structure for information& signposting • Hope in meeting parents further on • Continues after family/friends support has waned

16. Anam Cara Support Groups • Existing Groups • Dublin • Tipperary • Cork • Mayo • Donegal • Galway • Armagh • Future Target Areas • Midlands • Tralee • Wexford • Monthly Informal Events • Co facilitated by Anam Cara Volunteers and Professional • Long term support • In excess of 5,300 parents have attended to date • Ideally strategically located within a 100km distance • Focus on quality v’s quantity • Bereavement Information evenings and activities organised at different times of the year.

17. What Parents Say “ After attending the Anam Cara meeting I felt less alone, I knew there were others who understood” (Bereaved Mum Anam Cara Parent Evening) “ If the chance comes up to attend these workshops, come along it helps” (Bereaved Mum Anam Cara Bereavement Programme ) “ Well worth attending even if not your scene, don’t have to speak yet it helps you work stuff through in your head” (Bereaved Dad )

18. Funding • We are a registered charity and non-profit making organisation • Actively fundraises and seek donations throughout the year to provide our services at no charge to parents and families • National Awareness day is 2nd November • Commemorated by our ‘A Balloon to Remember’ event giving families and friends an opportunity to remember their loved ones together • Any offer of help with funding, fundraising or donations very much appreciated.

19. Anam Cara Parental and Sibling Bereavement Support HCL House Second Avenue Cookstown Industrial Estate Tallaght Dublin 24 Office Number 01 4045378 Information Number 087 9637790 Website: www.anamcara.ie Email info:anamcara.ie