Familes holds support meetings twice weekly.
(Previously named Miles)
Every Monday and Thursday from 8 to 10 pm. at 291, Father Russell Square, Hyde Rd, Co. Limerick.
Our services are free and strictly confidential.
For support meeting just come along any evening
For personal one on one meeting call the helpline 0872603603 for an appointment.
Limerick’s only support group for people experiencing the trauma of separation – MILES – has changed its name. From now on it will be operating under the new name – FAMILIES. The name change has come about as a result of the ever increasing number of family members who have been seeking the help and support of the group. Long-standing volunteer Board Members, Seamus Scott, Joe Wallace and Edward Fitzgerald, all of whom have been with the charity for many years, have been experiencing an increase in the variety – and number – of people who have been seeking their assistance – and not only males for whom the charity was originally formed.
A spokesperson for the board members, says, ‘For the past while we have had so many family members coming to us for help and advice – spouses and partners, of both sexes, and children and other extended family members – that we thought it was a good idea to look at changing our name to reflect the variety of people who are now seeking our support.’
As another volunteer Board Member, Joe Wallace states, ‘When MILES was set up in 2003 specifically to support men in Limerick who were experiencing separation – from where the organisation derives its name – Men in Limerick Experiencing Separation – there has been a discernible change in those who now come to us for advice and assistance.’
Seamus Scott, another long-standing Board Member, says that the wide variety of people who have been seeking their assistance has necessitated the change. ‘While MILES has always welcomed everyone who needed our help we felt that perhaps our name – MILES – might have contributed to people who were looking for help in the distressing time of relationship beak-down looking elsewhere. After long discussion with our Board and others we have decided that our name-change to FAMILIES makes more sense and indicates a more inclusive culture for the organisation.’
So from now on, anyone in Limerick and the surrounding areas – Clare, Tipperary, Cork, Kerry and beyond – can be reassured in the knowledge that there is a group in Limerick that is there to help them through what can only be described as one of the most challenging experiences in life – relationship break-down and the subsequent trauma and hurt that such a life event brings. FAMILIES (formally MILES) hosts two meetings every week – on Mondays and Thursdays – starting at 8.00pm. FAMILIES has also recently also moved premises and are now located at no 291, Father Russell Square, Hyde Rd, Co. Limerick and of course they are still available on their advice line 087 260 3603 every day, 24 hours a day.
For anyone who needs help please call us – or drop by. We will do everything they can to help you. The service is free. For anyone who would like to volunteer or make a donation to help support FAMILIES please call 087 2603 603.
In May, FAMILIES is hosting a national conference in Limerick that will focus on all aspects of family breakdown and its subsequent problems. It will feature a number of national and international experts in the field and is supported by Phil Prendergast, Labour MEP. More details will be forthcoming shortly.
FAMILIES is a support group, providing support and information for those who are experiencing separation in their lives.
FAMILIES (MILES) was established in Limerick in 2003. While initially focusing on men, the organisation now provides support and information for everyone who is going through separation in their families – men, women and children. While FAMILIES is Limerick-based it provides outreach services to the greater Mid West region.
