I've raised £2000 to to provide additional nature-based and artistic-creative sessions for mothers who are severed from their children by trauma-based addiction.
Organised by Dr Susan Robson
Story
The intention of Tina's Haven is to develop a replicable model of holistic, therapeutic and trauma responsive practice for birthmothers severed from their children by addiction. Our approach is grounded in immersive nature experiences and supporting women to develop self-efficacy. Tina’s Haven was born out of one family’s own tragic personal experience of severance, trauma, and loss, along with a determination to create something positive and hopeful, and to bring about change. Follow the development of Tina's Haven here.
Tina’s Haven was born from my own tragic personal experience of severance, trauma, and loss, along with my determination to create something positive and hopeful, and to bring about change.
My daughter Tina's addictions were triggered by having been abused as a child. She self-medicated with alcohol and drugs from a young age and was addicted to heroin at 15. Tina continued to use a range of alcohol, prescribed and illegal drugs until her death aged 35. Tina never had appropriate support, despite me relentlessly advocating for her for over a quarter of a century.
Tina loved her son as deeply as any mother would. In the face of criticism from agencies, peers, and even my own family; I trusted my instincts and facilitated regular contact to maintain their special bond. Thankfully, my grandson is now left with many happy memories with his mum. The final severance of death would have been far more traumatic for him without those.
Tina's Haven has a steering group of female practitioners, who between them are highly experienced in nature & well-being, trauma-informed therapy, addiction recovery, and developing women's self-efficacy. All have insights into/or first-hand experience of the impact of birthmother and child severance because of addiction.
“Women in recovery may have forgotten how to be a mum. Parenting courses are all that is on offer, yet these women need and army of women to support them with self-love and self-care.”
It can be terrifying for mothers when children are returned. Children bring their own trauma when they have had a period of severance from their mothers. Mothers feel shame and failure, have been silenced, and feel they are not good enough.
The project steering group has representation from, The Barn at Easington Addictions North East, and The Women's Liberation Collective.
