Vital voice for the young

Now a new charity is being set up which aims to give them a voice and family law experts across Yorkshire are offering their support.

Kids in the Middle plans to set up a website to act as a forum for children whose parents are separating. They will be able to get support from other young people who have been in the same position. The charity is recruiting 50 founding partners to help raise awareness of the campaign and recruit support from schools and youth organisations to kickstart a nationwide fundraising campaign.

Despite the fact that one in four children under 16 has parents who have separated, Kids in the Middle is the first ever charity set up to deal with the impact this has on young people.

Campaign director Duncan Fisher said: “It is amazing how children get overlooked during family separation.

“It is such a widespread and serious problem for children and yet there is nothing specifically for them. Separating parents need to hear the story from children and we all need to hear what children and young people have to say about their best interests during family separation.”

Parents will also be able to log on and see how other children have felt during the process and how they feel it could have been handled better to protect their interests. The new charity will raise money by appealing to schools and other organisations to hold fundraising events.

Berwins Solicitors in Harrogate is one of six firms involved in the founding partners scheme across Yorkshire.

Family solicitor Stephen Root said: “This charity is very much needed. There is nothing else like it available, despite the number of children who are affected by divorce and separation.

“Our aim is to act as a catalyst for this new charity, raising awareness and linking up with local schools for fundraising projects.

“Separation is something which affects many children, either directly or through their friends or relatives, and we know Yorkshire teenagers will be keen to do whatever they can to help other children facing a tough time at home.”

He said young people all over the country would be working with family lawyers and mediators to raise awareness and funds to launch the service.

The other law and mediation firms in Yorkshire with founding partners are Allison Family Mediation in Leeds and Sheffield, 37 Park Square Chambers in Leeds, Taylor & Emmett LLP in Sheffield and Taylor Bracewell Solicitors in Sheffield and Doncaster.

As well as the website, Kids in the Middle will produce material for schools and set up events with politicians and family organisations to give young people a chance to give their views. The charity’s website already contains some advice for children on how to ensure their voices are heard, even if their parents are at loggerheads and fundraising will enable it to establish a helpline, online forums and publish helpful material for children, parents and organisations working with young people.

To find out more, visit http://kidsinthemiddle.org.uk.