When parents separate and relationships break down, it is a difficult time for all the family and children are often caught in the middle, through no doing of their own. The Uxbridge Child Contact Centre (UCCC) is the only centre of its kind in Hillingdon and provides a non-judgemental and confidential space for parents, who do not live with their children and who they would otherwise not see, to re-establish contact and start to rebuild these important relationships.

UCCC provides peace of mind for the other parent as visits are regular, supported and use trained volunteers. This is invaluable to all members of the family and through them to the community as a whole. Parents and referrers see the Centre as a necessary and valuable part of the Borough’s work with families and children, which can often alleviate the need for expensive court hearings and statutory intervention.

UCCC is run by trained volunteers. All the volunteers are impartial and won’t side with either parent during the meetings.

We believe that helping our clients to have a good and loving relationship with their children will eventually benefit the family as a whole and by extension the wider community. The outcome we aim for is for the parents eventually to be able to arrange contact outside a Centre and have a family relationship with the stability that brings.

Naomi Edwards, Co-ordinator at the Centre, said: “The Centre provides an important service, without it our clients would have no contact at all with their family members. We rely on volunteers to give up their time to help the service run. It is a very satisfying experience. We just need a modest amount of money each year to pay the rent and cover the costs of running the Centre”

Comments for parents include:

“So reassuring, welcoming and approachable staff. My daughter made incredible progress. You helped us in a very difficult time, reassured and encouraged us.”

“The Centre made it possible to re-establish regular contact with my children. Many thanks for your compassionate attitude – keep up the good work!”