Rainbows, in Loughrea Family & Community Resource Centre, is a peer support programme for primary school aged children who are dealing with the issues associated with separation in their family. The “Rainbows” programme runs weekly for 9 consecutive weeks. Rainbows groups are age based and have between 4 and 8 members. Each group is facilitated by two trained volunteer facilitators.

What does “Rainbows” do?

  • Supports children to rebuild their self-esteem in a small group setting.
  • Enables participants to name, understand and come to terms with the many emotions they experience.
  • Reassures those who have anxieties or feelings of guilt.
  • Encourages children to move towards forgiving those people whom they feel have caused their pain.
  • Shares and listens to similar experiences from other group members.

What “Rainbows” is not

  • It is not professional counselling or therapy.
  • It does not analyze, diagnose or solve problems.
  • It does not advise, criticise or judge.
  • It does not treat emotional or behavioural problems.
  • It does not report, take notes or give evidence to anybody (except as laid down by the Child Protection policy of Rainbows and the Loughrea Family & Community Resource Centre).

Child Protection & Confidentiality.

  • Rainbows strictly adheres to Child Protection procedures and policies as laid down under Child First guidelines.
  • Confidentiality is explained in depth at the start of each Rainbows programme. All that is said and by whom remains confidential to the group.
  • A participant can share with a parent(s) at home what they said, not what others have said or discussed.
  • Confidentiality will be kept at all times except when information is given that indicates that the child or young person may be in danger or at risk.