Issue No. 3 | December 2010

This Christmas bulletin provides information on the upcoming launch of Connect’s 2006-2010 Service Report and our extended Christmas
Opening hours.

NEWS

Connect to launch first Service Report

Connect is to launch its first Service Report in late January covering the
first five years of the service. The report is to be launched by Labour Health spokesperson Jan O’Sullivan at 11am in Buswells Hotel in Central Dublin on January 27.

The report will include a full breakdown of calls over the five years with a full account of the development of Connect since it was formally established in 2006. The Report will also look at how the service moves into the future.

Additional Christmas opening hours

Connect is to extend its opening hours over Christmas as it can be an emotional time for people. The service will open from Wednesday 22nd December to Sunday 2nd January inclusive from 6-10pm. Connect was busy last weekend receiving extra calls following the launch of Chapter 19 of the Murphy Report.

ABOUT CONNECT

What is Connect?

Connect is an out of hours phone counselling and support service for adults who were abused in childhood. It is available Wednesday to Sunday,
from 6-10pm.

Connect is funded by the HSE and the freephone number is 1800 477 477.
It also provides a freephone service for former residents of institutions
living in the UK at 00800 477 477 77.

How was Connect established?

Connect was established following specific demands from survivor groups
that a professional telephone-based counselling and support service be established. At the time of establishment it was intended to provide
Connect’s services on a full-time basis. However, funding has not been available to deliver this to date. In 2009 Connect received 3,907 calls
outside of its current opening hours.

What services does Connect provide?

Connect can provide either immediate supportive counselling, or a longer term therapeutic counselling to liberate people from the effects of past abuse. Experienced and qualified psychotherapists / counsellors answer all calls.

Connect’s services are not confined to people who have experienced institutional abuse but are available to all adults who have experienced sexual, physical or emotional abuse, trauma or neglect in childhood. Connect is also available to partners or relatives of people with these experiences.

The Board of Connect is made up of support groups and the HSE. At its core the service is guided by user needs as defined by the support groups.

More information at www.connectcounselling.ie

Kind regards,
Anne Richardson, Chief Executive Officer