I bhfoscadh a chéile maireann muid/In each other’s shelter we survive. ♀️❤️🔱

The Sunflower Project began with the aim of working with people impacted by Mother and Baby institutions.

This film follows participants in The Sunflower Project which began in January 2022. The aim was to provide a safe space to work with people impacted by mother and baby institutions using the arts to explore their experiences. The project was delivered by Sole Purpose Productions and managed by Artistic Director, Patricia Byrne. Sessions were facilitated by Shauna Kelpie, a theatre practitioner; Colette Ramsey, a researcher experienced in working in mental health with a trauma informed approach, and Brónagh Corr, an artist who creates participative and public artworks. This film shows their moving and poignant journey to letting go of shame.

“There was always a feeling of shame in having been associated with these institutions, through this project and support of everyone involved, I for one and I’m sure the others feel the same, now know that the shame has totally disappeared”, Participant.

The project is supported by The Ideas Fund which is delivered by the British Science Association and funded by Wellcome. Sole Purpose Productions is core funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

What can you expect?

Visitors to today’s event can expect a warm and gentle welcome. The film — In Each Other’s Shelter We Survive — will last 1hr4mins and will be introduced by members of the #LIF2024 team and members of Fréa‘s Renewing Roots programme. Afterwards, people can stay in the space and speak to team. A list of survivor services can be found below and will be made available at the event.

Trailer

Gratitude

Fréa have supported the delivery of this event, but significant thanks go to Sole Purpose, who brought this project and work to our attention and secured the use of the film, when mainstream funding was not available. We are proud to be able to show it, in tandem with Stolen.

Support Services

If you — or someone you know — is affected by our event or literature, please consider consulting one of the following services:

• Connect Counselling: An anonymous professional telephone counselling service for survivors of physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Freephone in the UK and Northern Ireland +44 (0) 800 477 477 77 connectcounselling.ie
• ICAP: ICAP is the only specialist British-based counselling and psychotherapy service supporting people from the Irish community. They help people facing a range of emotional issues, including depression, anxiety and stress. Helpline: +44 (0) 207 272 7906 icap.org.uk
• Irish Community Care and/or Fréa: Assisting with gaining access to the Irish Government’s payment scheme for mothers and children who were resident in specific institutions, they also offer some advice in accessing records and other aspects of the redress scheme. There is more information here: frea.org.uk/motherandbabyhomes
• Justice for Magdalenes Research: A resource for people affected by and interested in Ireland’s Magdelene Institutions, is accessible here: jfmreasearch.com
• Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation: To access the Irish Government’s report and additional information, visit gov.ie/en/collection/mbhcoi
• My Data Rights: A resource for people affected by the ‘historical’ human rights violations in Ireland. They provide information for survivors of the Irish industrial and reformatory schools. This includes information about using GDPR protocols to gain access to personal information. The website contains downloadable guides and template letters for requesting personal data and for complaining to the Data Protection Commission if necessary. This is a project of the Human Rights Law Clinic at the Irish Centre for Human Rights, NUI Galway mydatarights.ie
• Samaritans, The: The Samaritans offer a non-judgmental listening service, whatever you are going through. Call free, 24-7 in the UK, on 116 123 samaritans.org
• Sexual Violence Support (Northwest): A service to help locate the relevant support services for those who have suffered sexual violence across the Northwest: sexualviolencesupport.co.uk
• Survivors Trust, The: The Survivors Trust has 120 member organisations based in the UK and Ireland which provide specialist support for women, men & children who have survived rape, sexual violence or childhood sexual abuse
• Tuam Home Survivors Network: Survivors helping survivors tuamhomesurvivors.com.

This information was tested and accessible on 4 Sept 2023. It is not an exhaustive list of services available. You are not alone. Make contact. You will be heard.