Casework and Caring: A Century and More of Birthlink
Exploring the Archive
In this episode we talk to Jenny Duffy, Archivist about her work in the Birthlink archives, including what sort of things she found there, how she’s gone about cataloguing and preserving the archives as well as hearing about some of the moving and powerful stories of individuals the archives have revealed.
Podcast music attribution text:
Lil Piano Loop 150 by deadrobotmusic —https://freesound.org/s/572581/ — License: Creative Commons 0
The Thrift Shop
In this episode we talk to Neil Gascoyne, Birthlink Charity Shop Manager. Birthlink set up the first charity shop in Scotland (known as a thrift shop), which it still runs today. We talk to Neil about the importance of the charity shop to the local community, the way it supports the work of Birthlink and some of interesting items which pass through their doors.
Podcast music attribution text:
Lil Piano Loop 150 by deadrobotmusic —https://freesound.org/s/572581/ — License: Creative Commons 0
Birthlink Searchers
In this episode we talk to Jean, a Searcher for Birthlink. We talk to Jean about the work volunteer searchers do for Birthlink, its importance to the wider work of Birthlink and some of the challenges involved. We also hear about the work Jean has been doing as a Searcher for the Heritage Project – helping us to understand more about the people the organisation supported with in its early days.
Podcast music attribution text:
Lil Piano Loop 150 by deadrobotmusic —https://freesound.org/s/572581/ — License: Creative Commons 0
No. 20 Muirhouse
In this episode we talk to Sally, Practice Manager at Birthlink about her time working at No 20 in the 1990s. No 20 was a community project which Family Care (as Birthlink was then) started in 1985 in the Muirhouse area of Edinburgh.
Based in flat 20/1 Muirhouse Park it worked with women and children in the area and offered a range of activities and services. No 20. placed an emphasis on partnership in planning and running these with the people who used their services. Sally reflects on the work of the project and its role in the community.
Podcast music attribution text:
Lil Piano Loop 150 by deadrobotmusic —https://freesound.org/s/572581/ — License: Creative Commons 0
Gillian’s Story
*Please be aware that this interview discusses experience of adoption*
In this episode, we talk to Gillian who tells us about her experiences of using Birthlink to trace her birth family.
Podcast music attribution text:
Lil Piano Loop 150 by deadrobotmusic —https://freesound.org/s/572581/ — License: Creative Commons 0
Family Care Director Remembers
In this episode, we talk to Jennifer, who was the Director of Family Care during the 1990s. Jennifer tells us about the work the organisation was doing this time, including pioneering work in IVF counselling work, challenges the organisation faced as a result of the local authority reorganisation in Scotland, and her own experiences of learning about Antipodean adoption practices at conferences.
Podcast music attribution text:
Lil Piano Loop 150 by deadrobotmusic —https://freesound.org/s/572581/ — License: Creative Commons 0
Kate’s Story
*Please be aware that this interview discusses a birth mother’s experience of adoption*
In this episode Kate talks firstly about her work as a social worker with Family Care and then her personal experience of being a birth mother whose daughter was adopted as a baby.
Podcast music attribution text:
Lil Piano Loop 150 by deadrobotmusic —https://freesound.org/s/572581/ — License: Creative Commons 0
Maggie’s Story
*Please be aware that this episode discusses experiences of adoption*
In this episode Maggie talks about her personal experience of being adopted, tracing her biological family and feelings of loss.
Podcast music attribution text:
Lil Piano Loop 150 by deadrobotmusic —https://freesound.org/s/572581/ — License: Creative Commons 0
Recollections of a Social Worker and Former Chairperson
In this episode Ann talks about her career as a Social Worker, her memories of The Guild of Service when it was an adoption agency and her role as Chairperson with Family Care in the 1990s.
Podcast music attribution text:
Lil Piano Loop 150 by deadrobotmusic —https://freesound.org/s/572581/ — License: Creative Commons 0
Sophia’s Story
In this episode Sophia talks about her experience using Family Care services when pregnant in the early 1980s.
Podcast music attribution text:
Lil Piano Loop 150 by deadrobotmusic —https://freesound.org/s/572581/ — License: Creative Commons 0