Sadly, our trailblazing Coordinator, Maura Keating, is retiring after 7 years at the Irish Childhood Bereavement Network. Maura has been a tireless advocate for bereaved children & young people. This has been demonstrated time and again through the growth of Bereaved Children’s Awareness Campaign, Bereavement Standards 2nd edition and latest ‘Safe Harbour’ book for children bereaved by suicide …to name but a few… We will miss her hugely but have no doubt our paths will continue to cross.
Of her time with the ICBN retirement, Maura said:
“It has been my distinct pleasure to lead the Irish Childhood Bereavement Network (ICBN) for the past seven years. Throughout this period, I am very proud to have played a part to champion the needs of bereaved children and young people through our actions and advocacy.
I will be taking early retirement at the end of June. As I step down, I am delighted to announce that Sonia Rennicks will be assuming the role of National Children’s Bereavement Manager for ICBN. Sonia brings with her a wealth of experience in mental health, training, and development support. I am confident that under her leadership, ICBN will continue to flourish and advance its mission.
If you require any assistance from ICBN going forward, please do not hesitate to reach out to Sonia and Dearbhla. They are committed to supporting and championing the ICBN mission as it enters its next phase.
Thank you very much for your support over the years. It has been an honor to work with you.”
Maura speaking at the recent launch of the Safe Harbour book.
As Maura moves on, we are welcome the new Children’s Bereavement Manager (ICBN).
On joining the ICBN, Sonia said:
“I am delighted to take up the role as Children’s Bereavement Manager with the ICBN and am very grateful to have Maura Keating’s guidance and handover wisdom during the month of June. I have been working in the non-profit sector for ten years, most recently in Mental Health Ireland as the Head of Education, Training, and e-Mental Health. I have an academic background in mental health promotion, mental health in the community, leadership, and design.
I am passionate about collaborative processes, engaging with and integrating lived experience into the development and implementation of health promoting projects. I am very much looking forward to working together with the Advisory Group, Network, and our Bereavement Network Support Officer Dearbhla Ní Mhaolagáin to build on Maura’s Keating’s impactful work.
As Maura said, please do get in touch with myself and Dearbhla if we can be of any assistance by emailing icbn@hospicefoundation.ie.
