What is Family Matters Enterprise?
Family Matters Enterprise was founded and registered as a company in 2013. We are a social enterprise with a clear vision of how our child contact service can help bring about social change and benefit the community.
Our vision is to be an innovative organisation that meets the diverse needs of children who are separated from one or both parents.
Our mission is to promote and support relationships between children and non-resident parents, or other family members.
If you’re looking for a place where children can spend time with their parents or relatives, our contact center is ideal. It’s a safe and friendly environment where families can spend time together – whilst having fun!
Contact Center
Our child contact center has been given enhanced accreditation by the National Association of Contact Centers (NACCC). This means that we work to recognized and approved national standards for supervised contact.
The NACCC is a founder member of CEPREP and the supporting membership body for over 350 contact centers throughout England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Flexible Child Contact Service
We’ve worked hard to create a flexible service that’s easy to use. Rooms designated for contact are available 7 days a week. Weekdays between 9am and 5pm – Weekends and bank holidays between 9am and 5pm.
Our children’s contact service includes:
Supported Contact
Supervised Contact
Community Supervised Contact
Virtual Supervised Contact
Handover
The Team Behind the Service
Family Matters Enterprise was founded by company directors Barbara Coward and Sandra Thorneycroft. Their main aim was to establish a contact center that met the needs of children who have been separated from their parent(s).
Barbara Coward – BA (Hons) CQSW – is a highly motivated manager and social work practitioner with over 40 years’ experience working in health and social care environments.
Sandra Thorneycroft – BA Social Work – is an experienced social worker who is passionate about working with children, young people and their families.
Our dedicated team includes paid staff and volunteers, all carefully selected and suitably trained. As a team, we’re committed to safeguarding children’s welfare and promoting positive family relationships.
Get Involved
We want to help meet the needs of children who’ve been separated from their parent(s). If you share this interest there are a number of ways you can get involved or stay in touch with what we’re doing.
Partners
We’re keen to forge links with other people, businesses, community groups and organisations who work with children. If you think there’s a way we might be able to work together, please contact us to get the ball rolling.
Volunteers
Our team includes staff who are employed by Family Matters Enterprise and volunteers. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer and gaining valuable experience, you can get more information here.
Information
You can stay in touch with what we’re doing by visiting our Facebook page or following us on Twitter.