Both Parents Matter Reviews 124

If it wasn’t for FnF I wouldn’t being seeing my daughter and I would have wasted all my time and money with no result. This is a great under funded organisation for all parents not just fathers.

An absolutely essential support organisation for men and women going through the family courts. As a provider of work for domestic abusers, many of whom are "appearing in the Family Court" we suggest that everyone should attend FNF. The support with presenting cases and via McKenzie friends is incredibly valuable. Our favourite would be Harrow, which in our opinion offers the best service, but that is not in any way to undermine all the many other branches, some of whom we not know.

FNF has given me the unprecedented support and guidance through the unjust system weighted against fathers often suffering vindictive allegations of abuse that have been fabricated to stop and control contact with their children. Through the trauma of the injustice there has been no one there except FNF in these lonely and traumatic times and we are reliant on FNF to reach the other side so that the children and father can be reunited and in each others’ lives.
FNF must continue to campaign for equality and for children’s rights to equal and shared parenting and expose the abuse of the legal system by some parents to alienate the non resident parent.FNF needs to grow and its voice be a significant part of the government and justice system.

Incredibly supportive people! Their motto is that you're not alone!

A really helpful organisation which supports its service users very well and campaigns for the best outcomes for children whose parents are separated or divorced

When my partner told me about the extent the mother of his children went to stop him seeing his daughter I could not believe it and felt we had to be the only one going through it. Until we found FNF we had no idea our story was just one of thousands; if only these mums understand the harm they are causing their children.

I have had quite a bit of engagement with FnF for more than a decade now.

Originally I sought advice from their forum in support of a friend experiencing post-separation abuse & manipulation & restriction of his child's relationship with him.

I regularly attended local branch meetings and was struck by the knowledgable & empathetic peer support & advice offered by the mums, dads & grandparents who attended. This demolished any illusion that FnF was a men's rights organisation, or only worked with fathers.

Since then I have often recommended FnF as a source of practical & emotional support for anyone who is experiencing post-separation abuse or challenges maintaining their relationship with a child following family breakdown.

When asked, and if able, I have been happy to support the charity by speaking at national & local events about psychological evidence around family breakdown and child welfare matters. I was really disappointed to have to pull out of their 2023 conference due to ill health.

What an amazing organisation, offering help, support and advice. A really informative and pioneering charity. Thank you!

FnF was recommended to me at a point when I was completely blindsided after settling into post-divorce life, seeing my two older children regularly four years on from separation. I was informed that my children wanted to move 200 miles away and that their mother had agreed this with them. I was told that I had no say in the matter, and that this was all done behind my back because if I was involved I would only object to 'what the children wanted'. The fact that this happened about three weeks before my new partner and I were expecting the birth of our new baby had nothing to do with this, of course. So my older children would be deprived of a relationship of their younger sibling, having been previously very excited about their imminent new brother.

At the time my daughter was 13 and my son 10, my son was even told he would still see me a couple of times a week despite the four-hour journey between us. My objection to this at the time resulted in the children blaming me for the upset, and I could not do anything to show them they had a right to a relationship with both parents. I was branded selfish and my ex then started to throw all sorts of allegations at me despite not having had any contact with her apart from to discuss family logistics. My daughter turned against me completely and I barely saw her for six months despite living half a mile away.

Then I attended an FnF meeting after my patient and suffering, heavily pregnant partner found them, in Harrow with their leader David Dunne, a volunteer who has selflessly helped many hundreds of people over the years. My eyes were opened to a cruel world with mine being a very mild case unfortunately. The group of parents and grandparents (it is a very inclusive organisation) all had harrowing stories to tell with some not seeing their children for years. I was given realistic expectations, which was basically that I could not do anything to prevent what was happening, but that I could do something to ensure that the relationship with my older children would not be lost.

FnF give you the tools and advice to guide people through the minefield of the unjust and broken system in this country, and the support that you and your family need to cope at the worst time in many people's lives. Whilst it is hard to achieve a fully positive outcome in many cases they can at least help to recover some sort of meaningful relationship between parents and their children. In my case my children are grown up now (19 and 16), and they did move away - but not before I managed to achieve a positive outcome in terms of visitation (even Cafcass recommended that their mother must bring them to see me, not the other way around). Of course I see them less now they are older but I always know that without FnF I would barely know them now, and am heartened that when times are tough for them they always turn to Dad for help and guidance.

When it comes to family issues, discretion and privacy are paramount. However, when circumstances lead to legal proceedings involving family, you are faced with an incredibly daunting choice: either drain already limited resources on expensive lawyers or seek guidance from those who had navigated similar hardships. The system is traumatic.. and the politics of it all even more so.

In my quest for support and understanding, I came across an organization that has proven to be an invaluable lifeline in my journey - FNF, the charity, truly believe in the mantra "Both Parents Matter." Their impact has been immeasurable, offering a multifaceted approach to addressing the complexities of an already stressful situation.

First and foremost, the advice they provided was nothing short of exceptional.
FNF's guidance was not only sensible and practical but also delivered with a compassionate understanding of the emotional turmoil my family was going through.
This empathetic touch is something that sets them apart and instills confidence in their expertise.

What truly distinguishes FNF from other resources is the sense of community they foster.
Being part of a group of individuals who were also grappling with the challenges of family legal proceedings provided a unique and indispensable support network.
Sharing our collective knowledge and offering each other encouragement has been an immeasurable source of strength during this challenging time.

FNF is more than just an organization; they are a lifeline for Parents, Aunties, Grandparents, or anyone facing similar struggles.
They are experts in their field, yet they remain grounded in their humanity, understanding the emotional rollercoaster that accompanies these trials. They genuinely care and actively work to help families regain their footing during these trying times.

In gratitude for the profound impact FNF had, I am now actively involved in supporting the charity, so that other families in dire need of the same invaluable support can find solace and guidance in their journey.

I cannot speak highly enough of FNF.
In particular the London Branch. They are a beacon of hope for those navigating treacherous waters in family disputes. Their expertise, compassion, and unwavering support have been instrumental in helping my family regain our footing during a tumultuous period in our lives. If you find yourself in a similar situation, I wholeheartedly recommend turning to FNF for guidance and understanding. They are a true testament to the power of community and compassion in times of adversity.

I am a woman who has witnessed firsthand the immense suffering my family member endured at the hands of an unscrupulous, very wealthy family member who was able to use the courts and the legal system to their advantage. The FNF group that I was part of welcomed me in, supported and helped us navigate such a traumatic situation.

I will always be grateful for their unwavering support.

Excellent charity, and volunteers that gives hope and support with practical information, not only to fathers but grandparents / extended family too. A lifeline in devastating situations where ultimately the children are the focus. If contact with your child or grandchild is broken, this is the organization for all relevant information, support and understanding

Full of brilliant individuals who are unsung heroes. The charity is a support group and has many kind, supportive, empathetic, knowledgeable individuals, who can help you through the hardest time in your life.
The charity also campaigns for better outcomes for children and fathers in family courts as fathers get a raw deal currently, which makes the child suffer too.

Excellent organisation that I have found provided huge benefit from peer support for those in the most difficult of circumstances. The recent creation of a group focused on international cases is something that I have found particularly helpful as that is my situation, and it can feel incredibly lonely.

An outstanding organisation with the Best Interests of the Child at the heart of their decision making.

I am and will continue to be in debt to FNF for their support. The recent protest in London highlighting the injustice and crisis that is the unlawful abduction and illegal retention in Poland of British children, which I attended.

FnF is a multi ethnic group of fathers and mothers who are there to listen and support you as a parent. It holds weekly meetings in different geographical locations across uk simultaneously. There is also emotional support for parents who are going through they legal grinding of family court. You can find information and even recommended McKenzie friends and legal counselors. Their courses are also up to date, very much child centric and really useful to give you the necessary tools and communication techniques to get a working new paradigm set up post separation. They aim to make both parents relevant in every child’s development, supporting the absolutely basic need of children to spend as much time with each parent so get a balanced upbringing.
I wish they were a lot more readily available and easily findable before the need arises. Charities like these are what family courts should be learning from, constructive child centric bridge building informative supportive and loving.
As a parent never feel alone or in despair, there is always someone in FnF to listen to you and give you a guiding hand. You are not alone!

I was lost and depressed when my ex asked for a divorce.
Thankfully came to know about FnF and got engaged who supported me in this scary journey.
I like the social group who keep helping each others as friends and enable the social aspect too.

This group offers practical guidance as well as social and emotional support for non-resident parents. Fathers have benefitted from experienced legal guidance and court attendance, dealing with high conflict separation, alienating behaviours, abduction and false accusation attempts, whilst saving money on all the expensive fees for the same professional services which lack the personal care and attention deserved on such sensitive matters.

FNF taught me about the realities of the UK Family Court system at a time when I was very vulnerable and in need of guidance. Their "Surviving Separation" course is excellent.

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