FRÉA PARTNERSHIP
Our Fréa Partners
As the Irish proverb goes, “ní neart go cur le chéile”; there is no strength without unity.
Fréa brings together three long-established Irish charities: Irish Community Care working across Merseyside, Irish Community Care Manchester and Leeds Irish Health & Homes. As a partnership, we can become more resilient, build more sustainable income streams and raise the profile of our work right across the north of England.
Fréa Renewing Roots is a support service and community for former residents of Ireland’s Mother and Baby homes now living in northern England. They offer free, confidential advice and advocacy to individuals affected by institutional incarceration and abuse.
Fréa also organises campaigns like the Fréa Big Irish Breakfast and events like the St Patrick’s Day Ball allowing us to raise funds for all three charities.
And the Women of Irish Heritage Professional Network regularly brings Irish-born and women of Irish descent together to form business relationships, make long-lasting friendships and celebrate their shared culture.
Rewewing Roots
Fréa Renewing Roots supports former residents of Ireland's Mother and Baby and County Home institutions. Their 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, our trained support workers listen to community members’ experiences and work with them towards their goals. These may include:
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.
Fr´ea’s Big Irish Breakfast
Join in with Fréa’s Big Irish Breakfast in March and support vulnerable Irish people across the north of England.
Enjoy a cupán tae - or whatever you fancy - and donate to Fréa.
And inspire others to support Fréa’s life-changing work by spreading the word online using #BigIrishBreakfast
Women of Irish Heritage Network
The Women of Irish Heritage network brings together women from across the north of England to make professional connections and long-lasting friendships. It’s a highly supportive, friendly community of women from all walks of life.
St Patrick’s Day Ball in aid of Fréa
Every year, Fréa hosts a black tie ball in Manchester featuring a drinks reception, four-course meal, incredible live music and entertainment and a luxury auction.
Celebrate St Patrick’s Day in style with us!
“Going along to the Tea Dances or going for a coffee with someone from Leeds Irish Health and Homes - to my mum, it feels like home. It gives her that sense of Irish community.”
Service user, Leeds