Workshops exploring heartache of mothers whose children are placed in care

Heartbroken mothers who have had their children torn away from them through the adoption process are being given the chance to share their experiences and emotions through a landmark research project.

Dr Samantha Davey, from the University of Essex’s Law School, is working on the collaborative project with Dr Stella Bolaki, of the University of Kent, to lift the lid on the impact adoptions have on the mothers whose children are removed from their homes and placed into care.

Mothers with lived experience have been taking part in workshops run by the researchers, where they are asked to express their feelings and thoughts on the removal process through the form of art.

They have each been guided to craft their own artist's book, with some choosing to use written words to describe the process and their experience, while others have used photos and artistic materials.

Dr Davey said: “Women who have had their children taken away are stigmatised and have the added layer of finding it hard to open up about their feelings. “Art allows them to be creative and express these emotions in a different way rather than talking about them.

“We have seen a real difference in the types of mothers taking part. Some had their children put up for adoption in the 70s and 60s, while others have gone through this experience in the last few years.

“One pattern we have seen is mothers who gave legal consent for their child to be adopted felt a sense of coercion in the process.”

The researchers are looking for more participants to take part in their study.

This will involve two brief telephone interviews and a three-hour workshop via Zoom.

Materials will be provided free of charge, and participants are taught how to craft their own book.

Anyone wishing to learn more or take part in the workshops should email Dr Davey via smdave@essex.ac.uk.