Jeannot Farmer

Fellow’s Profile

Jeannot Farmer

Fellow’s Profile

Jeannot Farmer

Historic Forced Adoption - Healing the Wounds

Fellowship

Themes

Focus

Healing the wounds of historic adoption practices.

Countries

Fellowship year

2023

Locality

Scotland

Biography

I previously enjoyed careers in IT and physics education and am now retired.

I lost my son to adoption in 1979. He was taken at birth, without notice or consent, and I met him for the first time in 2010. Since then, I have been fortunate to meet others who suffered similar experiences because of historic adoption policies and practices in the post-war years. Many of us have joined together to seek government apologies and services to support individuals with recovery.

The focus of my Fellowship is to look at the impact of the Australian National Apology given in 2013. An Australian Senate inquiry issued 20 recommendations, aimed at addressing the enduring effects of shame, disenfranchised grief and trauma on survivors. They covered mental health and connection services, and improved access to records for all adults.

Australian states have implemented these recommendations to different degrees and in different ways. I am interested in identifying examples of best practice to influence policymakers throughout the UK. I am particularly interested in identifying strategies that have been successful in reaching and supporting individuals who may never wish to identify themselves publicly.

Activity

editorial

Uncovering the truth behind forced adoption

In July 2010, a message from my son, taken from me at birth, began my journey to uncover the truths of our shared history and the forced adoption practices of post-WWII. My Churchill Fellowship allowed me to learn from Australia's response to these injustices, with the hope that the UK can adopt similar healing measures for affected families.

By Jeannot Farmer, 2024

Acknowledgements

Origins, ARMS, VANISH, Jigsaw Queensland, Department of Justice and Community Safety Victoria, Donor Conceived Australia

Disclaimer

All Reports are copyright © the author. The moral right of the author has been asserted. The views and opinions expressed by any Fellow are those of the Fellow and not of the Churchill Fellowship or its partners, which have no responsibility or liability for any part of them.

Activity

editorial

Uncovering the truth behind forced adoption

In July 2010, a message from my son, taken from me at birth, began my journey to uncover the truths of our shared history and the forced adoption practices of post-WWII. My Churchill Fellowship allowed me to learn from Australia's response to these injustices, with the hope that the UK can adopt similar healing measures for affected families.

By Jeannot Farmer, 2024

Acknowledgements

Origins, ARMS, VANISH, Jigsaw Queensland, Department of Justice and Community Safety Victoria, Donor Conceived Australia

Disclaimer

All Reports are copyright © the author. The moral right of the author has been asserted. The views and opinions expressed by any Fellow are those of the Fellow and not of the Churchill Fellowship or its partners, which have no responsibility or liability for any part of them.

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