Launched by Patron Peter Sutherland
Peter Sutherland KCMG launched our campaign for The ‘Forgotten Irish’ in London with President Mary McAleese in June 2007 to raise awareness and substantial funds for the vulnerable and elderly Irish community in the UK.
Most of The ‘Forgotten Irish’ came to Britain in the second half of the twentieth century, during one of the darkest and most impoverished periods of Ireland’s history. They paved the way for more recent generations of Irish immigrants to Britain.
The majority came to find work, and sent billions of pounds home to their families. thousands of others came to escape the hardship, marginalisation and all too often, the abuse of institutional life.
At the end of their working lives, many had the means to go home. However, many are still here, often living in isolation, poverty and deprivation – without the support of friends or family.
Given the age of those involved and the hardships they have faced, it is likely that many will not survive the next decade.
“I have no hesitation in putting it to you that there is an obligation to help, and that we need your help; that the beneficiaries of The ‘Forgotten Irish’ Campaign are the people that deserve your help.”
Peter Sutherland
In 2007 The IFGB commissioned unique research from Middlesex University in order to identify, locate and quantify the numbers of vulnerable and elderly Irish in the UK.
The “Forgotten Irish” Report is the first study to be conducted on a national basis, focusing on the fifty-plus age bracket.
It is important to note that due to its very nature the statistics are likely to under-represent the size of The “Forgotten Irish” community in England, as such figures cannot include Irish people who are homeless or who do not access state provisions or services.
To view highlights from the “Forgotten Irish” Report and for further reading please click here.
Who are The Forgotten Irish?
Most of the ‘forgotten Irish’ came to Britain in the second half of the twentieth century, during one of the darkest and most impoverished periods of Ireland’s history. The majority came to find work, and sent billions of pounds home to their families- thousands of others came to escape the hardship, marginalisation and all too often, the abuse of institutional life.
They paved the way for more recent generations of Irish immigrants to Britain – for people like us.
At the end of their working lives, many had the means to go home however many are still here, often living in isolation, poverty and deprivation – without the support of friends or family. Given the age of those involved and the hardships they have faced, it is likely that many will not survive the next decade.
The Forgotten Irish Campaign Video
The Forgotten Irish Campaign
Peter Sutherland KCMG launched our campaign for the ‘forgotten Irish’ in London with President Mary McAleese in June 2007 to raise awareness and substantial funds for the vulnerable and elderly Irish community in the UK.
Forgotten Irish Report
Key findings of the Report
The largest concentrations of older Irish migrants are in areas such as Yorkshire and Humberside regions, and the West Midlands.â—¦ Census figures show that a high proportion of Irish live in the most deprived boroughs and local government areas in the UK.
Some areas, such as South West England and East Anglia have low Irish populations, but a high proportion of elderly Irish. There is little or no presence of Irish community groups or centres in these areas.
Almost 20% of Irish pensioners in the UK live alone.
More than 10% of the Irish population in the UK – some 67,000 people – are not working because of permanent sickness or disability.
Irish men are 15% more likely than their British counterparts to be single, divorced, separated or widowed from the age of 50 onwards.
Deaths from cancer for Irish people in Britain is 20% higher than the national average.
Please click the following link to read the PDF of the full Report: Forgotten Irish Report.
Help us to Remember The Forgotten Irish
In troubled climates, our Campaign is needed now more than ever. This challenging financial climate affects us all – and none more than those already vulnerable. Please make a donation to The IFGB for the forgotten Irish so we can help those that need it most.
T – 02079409850
E – Sean Henderson on shenderdon@irlfunds.org
