Knock Child Contact Centre was established in 1999. We are a voluntary organisation overseen by a Board of Directors, and the centre is run by a Coordinator , Team Leaders and trained volunteers. Staff and Volunteers are impartial and sensitive to the needs of the families using the service. Knock Child Contact Centre provides supported contact to families.

Our Child Contact Centre is dedicated to providing a safe, supportive, and neutral environment where children can build and maintain positive relationships with their separated parents. We prioritize the well-being and happiness of every child, fostering meaningful connections while ensuring their emotional and physical safety. Through care, respect, and understanding, we aim to create a space where families can thrive despite challenging circumstances, always keeping the best interests of the child at the heart of what we do.

We are currently located in Orangefield Presbyterian Church, where we are renting rooms from July 2024. We have made the temporary move due to building work taking place in our previous location. The new location is based at 464 Castlereagh Road, Belfast.

The Centre has two areas for families to enjoy- The Bay room- this room is carpeted, has a range of toys, arts and crafts, board games, dolls and prams, building bricks, Xbox are just a few.

The second room available is the sports hall, we have a large number of toys available: football nets, little tikes, cars, karts, push cars and games.

A waiting area is available on our ground floor area. The building has a number of disabled access points, in addition a lift to our contact rooms.

Opening Times

Wednesday 3pm – 7pm
Saturday 10am – 12noon

Location

Orangefield Presbyterian Church, 464 Castlereagh Road, BT5 6BH

The Process

Before a family uses the Centre a referral form must be completed along with pre contact assessment.

The coordinator will contact the referrer to arrange for parents to visit the centre and, if possible, to see around and to check the details about the contact arrangements. This also gives the parents a chance to ask questions or raise any concerns they may have. It is particularly helpful if the children can come and see round the building before meeting with their contact parent/adult.

Resident and contact adults are required to sign a consent form which sets out the ground rules for use of the Centre. The Resident adult is also asked to sign a form giving consent for their child to receive basic First Aid if necessary or be taken for medical care in an emergency.

The Centre can also be used as a handover point where visits take place outside the Centre. This must be agreed between the parents or other relevant adults or be by court order.

Meet Our Team

Gemma Bird, Coordinator

Ward Vaughan, Team Leader

Alison Long, Team Leader

William Morrow, Team Leader

A Day at the centre

Knock Child Contact Centre

Orangefield Presbyterian Church 464 Castlereagh Road BT5 6BH
07847 733699

Child Contact Centres welcome referrals from solicitors, social workers, court services, other Voluntary Organisations, and sometimes families themselves.

Why Volunteers are Important

  • Child centred focus – volunteers ensure the child’s best interests are always priority
  • Neutral Presence – their impartial role helps reduce conflict and promotes fairness.
  • Emotional Stability – volunteers provide warmth and reassurance in what can be an emotionally charged situation.
  • Practical Value – their contribution makes centres more accessible and sustainable by supporting staff and keeping services running.
  • Community Connection – volunteers bring compassion, diversity and a sense of community support.

Volunteers receive a wide range of training throughout their time in the centre. This can be beneficial to any volunteers wanting to gain experience to  access employment in social work or social care.

All our volunteers are required to undergo an Access Ni check and attend introduction training before starting to volunteer.

What Volunteers do

  • Welcome & Support Families
  • Support Contact Sessions
  • Maintain a Safe Environment
  • Remain Child Focused
  • Impartial
  • Non-Judgemental

Be a Volunteer

If you would like further information, please email us. An application form can also be requested by email knock.contact@gmail.com

Menu