‘We are all about children and what is best for them’
SUPPORT GROUP STARTED FOR PARENTS IN CHILD CONTACT CASES
A community group has been set up to help parents in child contact cases when they can’t afford or qualify for legal aid.
The Family Justice League has been set up in Loughborough by those who have been there and “got the T-shirt.”
Directors Ben Wheldon-Thompson, 38, and Natalie Holt, 42, pictured, both have had their own personal experiences with child contact and custody cases in court. In July last year, after meeting, the pair set up a social media group as they felt there wasn’t enough support for families.
Natalie spoke of how going to court can be a daunting experience for families. “When we first went to court and before you even started to apply the emotions were high and raw,” she said. “You have to fight to see a child. You are constantly on edge, it’s a very stressful time.
“It’s hurtful, you feel that pain and then when you get to court for the first time you have no idea what is going to happen. It’s no man’s land.
“Then you have got to be strong and keep a level head all the time and that tires you out emotionally and physically. I’m sitting there trying to keep my mind going about what’s been said and what’s going to happen. You can’t answer every question in court and it’s a step by step process.”
The justice league is there to help in contact cases where there’s a parent who can’t afford a solicitor or they might not qualify. Ben said it was often rare that parents could be eligible for legal aid. Instead, the justice league offers McKenzie Friend services.
He said: “It’s quite strict to get a solicitor to represent them in court.
A McKenzie Friend is someone who can lead you through the process, through assisting with paperwork, explaining difficult to understand processes, or being able to support when you have to write statements.
“Someone to support you through it so you are not going through it blind. Sometimes that is all people need so they are not going through it alone.
“But they cannot address the courts on your behalf.”
The Family Justice League was registered officially as a community interest group on Companies House in February after taking on 17 cases since it launched the Facebook group. Ben said they realised there were a lot of people to help.
He said they are trying to build connections with the relevant authorities and charities in the Loughborough area, such as The Bridge, Women’s Aid, case workers at the local MP’s office and Charnwood Borough Council.
“We are trying to be all encompassing, and sort of play the middle man”, he said. “A one stop shop to deal with all problems relating with families.
“It isn’t always possible to get legal aid, to get a solicitor. They’ll then have to represent themselves.
“I feel that this kind of help should be free. We don’t want to be charging people for what should be a natural right for children.
“People just want to see their children. If there are no safeguarding issues or legitimate reasons why they can’t, I have seen the damage it can do to family dynamics.
“We are all about the children and what’s best for them. We started offering McKenzie Friend services and within a week or two, it was described by Jane Hunt [MP for Loughborough] as the citizen’s advice for families.”
Ben and Natalie believe, having been through it themselves, they are well equipped to help overwhelmed parents. “You know how people are feeling and [how] it can affect them,” Natalie said. “It can be very daunting and it [the justice league] makes the process a lot easier. We have learned so much along the way.
“We can now walk in there with no stress, knowing what to expect. One of our clients, when we first met them, they were a wreck.
“They started crying, shaking. But straight away, as I have been there and bought the T-shirt, in different circumstances, I could reassure her.
“I could tell her that it is going to get better. Now when we see her the difference is amazing.”
The Family Justice League also helps families who are involved in school disputes or are experiencing housing problems. From Thursday, April 4, the group will run a fortnightly drop-in service in the town centre at the Careers and Enterprise Hub from 11am to 3pm.