False New Members for the Team.... Over the past few months eight new volunteers successfully completed their training to become Members of ISANDS Support Team. Our training course was facilitated by Peter Hanlon, Bereavement Therapist with the Health Service Executive. Helen Hayes, Jessie Metlitski, Marie Cregan, Liz Rache and Brian Roache ( all based in Cork), Jacinta Murphy ( Galway), Mary Callan ( Louth) and Mary Lane ( Kerry) now go forward with their own sad but valuable experience of loss and now equipped with listening skills and an understanding of the journey of loss to offer their support to other bereaved parents. The course took place in Cork and participants enjoyed the interaction and healthy exchange of views. There were a few laughs too which is hugely important in sustaining ourselves to work in sadness and yet in a very respectful way. Our thanks to Peter who helped to create an environment for open and frank exchange. I think all would agree that we learn a lot about ourselves at training such as this and even more importantly that you get to know a group of parents who have a similar loss, at a very different level of friendships and support. The newly trained parents will now join the wider group to become part of a National Team. Their training will continue with the National Team as we are always learning and updating new ways of understanding and supporting parents and families. Well done to Helen, Jessie, Marie, Liz, Brian, Mary L, Jacinta, Mary C and we wish you all that is good as you embark on a new experience out of your own experience of loss. It is wonderful to have new volunteers wanting to be involved and especially from areas in the country where support is badly needed. On that note however, I would like to thank Mary Ryan, Pauline O’Gorman and Eileen Gaynor ( National Executive Members and Support Team Members of ISANDS ) for their dedication and commitment over the past few years in travelling to Cork to facilitate Parents Support Meetings. The National Support Team continues to increase in numbers and in areas in the country where support will always be needed. We can now concentrate on fi nding more bereaved parents who feel they might like to be part of this wonderful team of people who as they say themselves “ want to give something back.” Ron Smith- Murphy Remembering always why they were there- Helen to remember her daughter - Roisin, Jessie to remember her daughter, Daisy Marie to remember her daughter and son, Lilliann and James Brian and Liz Roache to remember their twin girls and son, Ellen, Lucy and James Mary Callan to remember her daughter Bronagh Mary Lane to remember her son, Conor Jacinta Murphy to remember her daughter, Sarah Back Row L- R: Peter Hanlon, Helen Hayes, Jessie Metlitski, Marie Cregan, Jacinta Murphy, Brian Roache Front Row L- R: Mary Callan, Mary Lane, Liz Roache isands newsletter 18

False Parent Support Meeting Dates DUBLIN Meetings take place in Bewleys Hotel, Newlands Cross, Dublin Meetings commence at 8pm and fi nish at 10pm. Tuesday, April 2nd Tuesday, May 6th Tuesday, June 3rd. Tuesday, July 8th Tuesday, September 2nd Tuesday, October 7th Tuesday, November 11th CORK Meetings takes place in Jurys Hotel Meetings commence at 8pm and fi nish at 10pm Tuesdays- April 15th May 13th June 10th September 16th Parent Support Meetings Parent Support Meetings gives parents the opportunity to come together and talk about their own experience or just listen to other parents share their experiences. Very often just listening to others describe how they are feeling or coping can help us to relate to some of the feelings and emotions we may be experiencing but fi nd it diffi cult to talk about ourselves. Hopefully the meetings create a space where you can say how it really is. It is also a place where Dads have a chance to talk to other Dads, as very often they are or can feel excluded, as most of the focus tends to be on the mother. Many parents also fi nd that the meetings are helpful to discuss issues that arise when you have other children. If you have any questions or concerns about the meetings do not hesitate to give us a call on 01 872 6996. Support Team The ISANDS Supoprt Team are a group of bereaved parents who have been trained to facilitate Parent Support Meetings and offer telephone support to families. The National Executive of ISANDS would like to thank all the members of the Support Team for their continued support and care of and for bereaved families. Dublin- Brid Egan, Damien Moloney, Imelda Fisher, Ron Smith- Murphy Offaly Carol Gowing Tipperary - Mary Ryan, Eileen Gaynor, Pauline O’Gorman Cork Helen Hayes, Jessie Metletiski, Liz Roache, Marie Cregan, Brian Roache Kerry Mary Lane Louth Mary Callan Galway Jacinta Murphy isands newsletter 19