Volunteer call for child contact centre

A Carrick-based service which facilitates contact between parents and children has made an urgent plea for volunteers.
Carrickfergus Child Contact Centre volunteers Noreen, Liz (co-ordinator), Anne, and Daryl.  INCT 45-720-CONCarrickfergus Child Contact Centre volunteers Noreen, Liz (co-ordinator), Anne, and Daryl.  INCT 45-720-CON
Carrickfergus Child Contact Centre volunteers Noreen, Liz (co-ordinator), Anne, and Daryl. INCT 45-720-CON

Carrickfergus Child Contact Centre, based at the YMCA building on Irish Quarter West, moved into the new facility from Joymount in January last year.

The service, which is part of the Northern Ireland Network of Child Contact Centres, was set up to facilitate contact between a child and parents or significant others with whom they no longer live following a family break up.

It provides a neutral venue for separated families in the greater Carrickfergus area, with many getting involved by referral through the courts, social services and directly from solicitors.

Around 30 families currently use the centre’s services.

Deputy co-ordinator Liz McCaffrey explained: “Some of our volunteers have moved on to other things so we would be glad of any help.

“The volunteers’ role is mainly to help out at the centre; key an eye on the sessions and prepare snacks.

“We have two sessions on a Thursday from 2:15pm to 4:30pm and 4:30pm to 6:30pm, and one on a Saturday from 9:15am to 12:15pm.

“Anyone who is 16 or over can apply; it might be of particular benefit for a student who is studying social work, for example.”

All volunteers receive regular training and are vetted to ensure their suitability to work with children and young people.

Volunteer Tim Hedgeley said: “People are just not aware of how valuable the centre is; sometimes it’s the only contact between a parent and their child.”

For more information, contact the centre on 028 9335 0940 or visit carrickccc.co.uk.

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