Mums urged to come forward as remains of 800 children found

Mums in Wales are being called upon to step forward in light of the recent discovery of nearly 800 children’s remains in an Irish institution. Support is now being offered to former residents of the Mother and Baby Homes in Ireland, which have come under scrutiny in recent years. These homes, established in the mid-20th century, were meant to provide refuge for unmarried mothers and their children who lacked adequate support. Funded by the Irish government and primarily run by the church, the homes aimed to address issues of misogyny and discrimination. However, subsequent revelations have shown that the reality often fell short of these noble intentions, resulting in tragic outcomes for many.

One significant incident that brought attention to the dark history of these institutions was the discovery of 796 children’s remains at St Mary’s Mother and Baby Institutions in Tuam, County Galway, in 2014. This prompted the Irish government to launch an investigation into the operations of the homes and the broader involvement of the state. The resulting report was published in January 2021, followed by a formal apology from the government the next day. The findings revealed stark statistics, such as the fact that between 1935 and 1945, almost half of all deaths of “illegitimate” children in Ireland occurred within these homes, despite only a quarter of such children residing there.

The issue was not limited to Ireland alone, as highlighted by the international child NGO Humanium, which noted that the country’s Catholic influence and societal stigma around unmarried pregnancies played a significant role in driving vulnerable Irish women into these homes. In response to these revelations, organisations like Frea Renewing Roots have been actively supporting former residents who now reside in the UK. Frea Renewing Roots, a charity providing assistance to individuals who lived in the Mother and Baby Homes, will be conducting information sessions at Liverpool’s Irish Centre to help former residents navigate available payment schemes, access records of their birth and early life, and provide health and counselling services.

The Irish Government estimates that up to 40% of the 38,000 former residents eligible for these payments currently live in the UK. Given that many of these individuals are advancing in age, accessing support in a timely manner has become crucial. Patrick Rodgers, regional manager for Frea Renewing Roots, emphasised the range of support available, including general payments, work-related payments, and health support payments, tailored to individual circumstances. He acknowledged that seeking out this support can be overwhelming and highlighted the charity’s efforts to raise awareness and provide assistance within Irish communities in the north of England.

Former residents are encouraged to engage in confidential discussions with Frea Renewing Roots to explore the available support options. As the legacy of the Mother and Baby Homes continues to reverberate, the call for mums to step forward underscores the ongoing need for recognition, support, and healing for those affected by this dark chapter in history.