FNF Newsletter 29th July 2018

Hello Visitor,

Welcome to our Newsletter and Indirect Contact Survey

FNF Conference
We had hoped to share with you videos and further details from our recent conference. However, we've been especially busy following increased media coverage recently and we have also decided to combine the conference videos with their slide shows which takes a little longer but will give you a much better result. So please bear with us.

In the meantime, we are including a brief review of the Conference by divorce strategist Suzy Miller. She tells us about her first visit to one of our conferences. 

Suzy is also organising an event called "The Best way to Split Retreat" which concentrates on making the earlier stages of separation less adversarial and more constructive. As supporters of early intervention in these matters we are very pleased to tell you about it and Suzy is offering FNF Members a £60 reduction on places in this great event which takes place over a whole weekend.
(Note: Limited Time Offer - Subject To Spaces Being Available At The Retreat)


The next item is a survey in which we would very much appreciate your participation!

Indirect Contact Survey
We are carrying out a short survey of parents who had Child Arrangement Orders (previously called contact orders) for indirect contact i.e. for writing and receiving of letters, cards and gifts, phone calls, Skype calls, emails, etc.

There is little evidence as to whether such orders lead to anything positive or are even complied with. This survey should take only 5-10 minutes to complete and will help us to provide feedback to you, to family justice professionals and to the media.
 
Please see the legal blog Pink Tape from some time ago - it deals with this subject.

The survey may be found here.

Your help in this would be greatly appreciated.

With best wishes

Jerry Karlin

Chair and Managing Trustee

FNF 2018 Conference - A Delegate's Report

FNF Conference Virgin

It was my first time.  Although a current member of, and long-time supporter of the National UK Charity Families Need Fathers, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I rolled up to their 2018 Annual Conference.

My first relief was that I wasn’t the only woman there. Not by far.

I was fascinated.  Here I was first hand seeing clear evidence that what ‘should’ happen in court - often doesn’t happen in practice.  It was impossible to ignore the fact that much of what the law provides in legal orders and decisions - are ignored.  They have no teeth..  What came across loud and clear is that the current - and any potentially future - laws that protect the children's rights to see both parents, are just not properly enforced. 

Keynote speaker Lord Justice McFarlane was busy making notes as he came face to face with the massive gap between what should be happening and what actually happens in the family courts.  And he was listening and taking notes also about suggestions of what could be done.

Read More

Retreat: How To Split - The Best Way

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Presented by Suzy Miller - Divorce Strategist - Supported by Families Need Fathers

Retreat: "The Best Way to Split"

(And how to get a nasty divorce/separation back on track)

A full weekend - Friday through to Sunday afternoon 16 Sept 2018

The event is run as a collaboration of professionals, experts and support organisations who all want to help families find a better way to change form.

The Retreat takes place in a comfortable setting - yet the price is surprisingly low, including two days of workshops and direct access to experts in law, finance, parenting and well-being, and even the lunches are part of the package - for only £348 in total.  Because of Families Need Fathers' support of the Retreat, a number of their members will be able to access a £60 saving.  For those who wish to join FNF in order to access that generous discount, they will more than cover their membership costs!

Read More