“I would just like to say, as a volunteer, it’s wonderful to see the parents who without us would not see their children, and the children who are torn between parents get to see them both.”
“As a volunteer I find the Centre to be very rewarding as it enables children and parents to develop and continue a relationship with each other.”
“It is great to see contact between a child and their non-resident parent arrive at the stage when they can meet outside the Centre, a success story.”
“I am responding to a local need and putting something back into the community.”
“The work has given me a better understanding of the issues affecting families, and helped me to become more adaptable and open minded.”
“The rewards outweigh the disappointments.”
What some of the parents have said . . .
“I am so thankful to all the volunteers who so willingly give of their time. They are always so warm-hearted and welcoming, and put everyone at ease. It’s very clear that the children who come to the centre trust this wonderful group of people.
I have found the contact centre to be an oasis, from which a lifeline has been thrown to me, enabling me to spend valuable time with my daughter. I can’t thank them enough for the work they do and the service they provide to those who find themselves in a difficult situation.
I would say, although their work may not be well known, it bears fruit for those who have benefited from it.”
“The centre has been a safe place where my son can see his father without any difficult and upsetting handovers between us.”
“Without the work of the contact centre, many children would not get to see a parent at all.”
What some of the referrers have said…
“As a family law practitioner, I see first-hand the importance of contact centres. When parents separate, agreeing who can spend time with the children, and under what circumstances, when and where, can be very difficult and fraught with emotion on all sides. In such cases, and in many more, the contact centres are invaluable. Many of the families I have worked with owe a great debt of gratitude to the contact centres, and the volunteers who make them possible, as does everyone in the family law system, lawyers and courts alike.”
“I have referred to the contact centre when a father had never seen the child, and the contact centre volunteers were good enough to facilitate the first meeting between father and daughter. Without the work of the contact centre, many children would not get to see a parent at all.”
“I am a solicitor who specialises in cases involving children. I have regularly referred parents to Contact Centres. I have found the Contact Centres to be an invaluable mechanism to ensure that children can see a parent. Contact Centres are utilised in difficult cases where for example a mother does not wish to be in contact with the father.
However as we work on the basis of the best interests of the children and the promotion of contact between children and their parents, the service provided by the Contact Centre means that the child does not miss out even if the relationship between the parents has broken down. This is essential. I have also used the Contact Centre on an occasion where a father has never seen the child and indeed the Contact Centre volunteers were good enough to facilitate the first meeting between the father and his daughter. Without the service of the Contact Centre, many children would not get to see a parent at all.
Not only does the Centre allow a child to see a parent in a difficult situation but it also can progress the situation whereby a parent can eventually see their child in more natural environments. The service is essential, I would promote it and congratulate the volunteers who provide an essential service.”
“I would just wish to relay how as a legal representative I find that having a resource such as the Contact Centre is invaluable in order to move matters forward, particularly in the most difficult cases where no agreement can be reached.
I recall as a Practitioner the difficulties prior to Contact Centres whereby trying to agree family members to supervise contact would prove near to impossible. The Contact Centres often prove to be a great facility to move matters forward and break the ice in conjunction with the legal process.”
“I am happy for you to quote me as saying that the Contact Centre is a very useful facility for parents (or indeed other relatives) to establish contact with their child in a neutral and safe environment, in circumstances where that is considered necessary to ensure that the child’s welfare is prioritised.”