The £6m Family
Restoration Fund to help reunite former child migrants with their
families was formally launched today by Health Secretary Andrew
Lansley following a meeting with child migrants and the Child
Migrants' Trust.
The fund was announced in February at the time of the
Government’s formal national apology to former child migrants. The
funding, which will cover the practical costs of travel, will be
available to any former child migrant who was sent under
school-leaving age from Great Britain and Northern Ireland before
1970 to countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand and
Zimbabwe (the former Rhodesia).
The fund will be administered and supported by the Child
Migrants' Trust, which has today also been awarded
£450,000 in additional funding to expand its work in family
tracing, social work and counselling services.
Andrew Lansley said
“I am glad to be able to launch the £6m Child Restoration Fund on
behalf of the UK Government today, after so many years of struggle
for recognition and acknowledgement by child migrants and their
campaigners.
“For far too long, the trauma and suffering experienced by former
child migrants were ignored. We know that that pain cannot be
erased, but I hope that the funds now available will make a real
and positive difference to their lives, and those of their
relatives, in making reunions possible.
“As a member of the Health Select Committee in 1998, when we took
evidence about the dreadful impact on child migrants, I remember
how strongly we felt that they should be supported and reunited
with their families. It is right, if much delayed, that we are now
providing this further help.”
Former child migrant Jackie Honner, said:
"The Fund gives hope to those still waiting to be
reunited with their families and will help all of us to develop
closer family relationships. This is so important to us, even at
this late stage. We live with the painful consequences of Child
Migration schemes every single day."
Margaret Humphreys, Director of the Child Migrants'
Trust, said:
''The Child Migrants' Trust welcomes
this positive initiative which addresses the painful legacy of
Child Migration for individuals and families. The Family
Restoration Fund is a significant and practical step in bringing
families together and healing the deep wounds of separation.''
In order to meet the anticipated demand for support, priority
will be given to first-time family reunions and urgent cases such
as end-of-life situations for the first twelve months of the fund.
Notes to Editors
The full text of the Prime Minister’s apology. on behalf of the
nation, on 24 February can be found here:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmhansrd/cm100224/debtext/100224-0004.htm
For more information about the Child Migrants Trust:
http://www.childmigrantstrust.com
Contacts:
Department of Health
Phone: 020 7210 5221
NDS.DH@coi.gsi.gov.uk