Losing someone you love, or watching your family change shape after a separation, is hard at any age — but for children and teens, it can be especially difficult to process and talk about. Rainbows Ireland is a national voluntary community organisation that supports children and young people through exactly these experiences.
Delivered through peer group programmes, Rainbows helps children and teens who are dealing with bereavement or parental separation to feel less alone, and gives them tools to name their feelings and rebuild their confidence. The service reaches thousands of children each year through schools, family resource centres, and youth and community projects across Ireland.
What Rainbows Ireland Offers
Rainbows Ireland runs small, supportive peer group programmes designed around what children and young people actually need when their world has changed. The programmes offer:
- A safe place where children can meet others who understand what they’re going through — so they realise, “I’m not the only one.”
- Support to name and share their feelings, rather than bottling them up.
- Help to rebuild self-esteem, trust, and self-confidence.
- Support to adjust to change in a positive, healthy way.
Who Rainbows Ireland Supports
Rainbows programmes run in primary and secondary schools, family resource centres, and youth and community projects around Ireland. The children and young people who take part aren’t unwell and don’t need medical treatment — they simply need support as they adapt to a changed family life, whether that’s following a bereavement or a parental separation. The peer group model means children work through this alongside others their own age who are facing similar circumstances.
How to Get in Touch or Support Rainbows Ireland
If your child, or a child you know, could benefit from Rainbows’ support, you can get in touch through the Rainbows Ireland website or by emailing [ask@rainbowsireland.ie](mailto:ask@rainbowsireland.ie).
Rainbows Ireland relies on voluntary support to keep its programmes running for children who need them. If you’d like to help, you can donate to Rainbows Ireland here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Rainbows Ireland for?
Rainbows Ireland supports children and young people who are coping with bereavement or parental separation. It’s a peer support service, not a medical or clinical one.
How does Rainbows Ireland help children?
Through small peer group programmes, children get a safe space to share their experience, name their feelings, and rebuild confidence as they adjust to change in their family life.
Where do Rainbows Ireland programmes run?
Programmes are delivered in primary and secondary schools, family resource centres, and youth and community projects across Ireland.
How do I contact Rainbows Ireland?
You can reach Rainbows Ireland through their website or by emailing ask@rainbowsireland.ie.
Can I support Rainbows Ireland?
Yes — Rainbows Ireland is a charity that depends on donations to continue its work with children and young people. You can donate through their online giving page.
More Family Life Reads
If this topic is relevant to your family, you might also find these helpful:
- Supporting Your Child Through Big Life Changes
- Talking to Children About Loss and Grief
- Helping Kids Adjust After Parents Separate
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