Rainbows is a peer-support programme to assist children who are grieving a death, separation or other painful transition in their family. Rainbows provides high quality programme offered at no cost to the participants and is available to all children who need it.
The Rainbows programme helps by providing a safe setting in which children can share their feelings, emotions and struggles with others who have similar experiences. They are supported in this process by teachers who have been trained as Rainbows facilitators. The aim of Rainbows is to furnish the participants with an understanding of their new family unit, to assist in building a stronger sense of self-esteem and to direct them towards a healthy resolution of the changes that have taken place in their personal lives.
Rainbows was founded in Chicago in 1983 by Suzy Yel Marta and was established in Ireland in 1988. Today there are some 600 locations throughout the thirty-two counties.
Here at St Mary’s Fiona O’Brien is the co-ordinator of the programme and the majority of teachers and Special Needs Assistants in the school are trained facilitators.
Further information on our Rainbows programme is available from our school secretaries, Rebecca and Helen.
