History – Family Routes

The Origins of Family Routes

The Family Routes of today originates from a charitable organisation established in the 1900s. Read more about our history below.

Our History

1900s Church of Ireland Rescue League
1930s Church of Ireland Moral Welfare Association
1950s Church of Ireland Social and Family Welfare Association
1988 Church of Ireland Board for Social Responsibility
2008 Board for Social Action (NI)
2018 Family Routes
2023 Family Routes is proud to be a set of knowledgeable and skilled service providers across families’ needs

Family Routes has its origins in the Church of Ireland Rescue League established in the early 1900s

Its name and roles went through a number of transformations reflecting changing societal attitudes throughout the 20th and early 21st centuries.

In 1988 the charity was incorporated and renamed the Church of Ireland Board for Social Responsibility (BSR) following the introduction of the Adoption (NI) Order 1987 and the launch of its Fertility Counselling service.

In 2008 the charity moved to its current premises in Sydenham Business Park, Belfast and rebranded as the Board for Social Action (NI), incorporating the Church of Ireland Adoption Society, renamed as Adoption Routes.

The charity became independent from the Church of Ireland in 2018 and was relaunched as Family Routes. It is registered as an independent charitable company with the Charities Commission for NI (Charity No: 101826) and Companies House (Company No: NI24153).

1900s Church of Ireland Rescue League

1930s Church of Ireland Moral Welfare Association

1950s Church of Ireland Social and Family Welfare Association

1988 Church of Ireland Board for Social Responsibility

2008 Board for Social Action (NI)

2018 Family Routes

2023 Family Routes is proud to be a set of knowledgeable and skilled service providers across families’ needs