Family Law Awards fundraising drive raises £4k for Exeter-based mediation charity

Generous guests at this year’s Family Law Awards have helped to raise an impressive £4k for the event’s charity partner, Exeter-based National Family Mediation, which will go towards providing access to mediation for families with children who are struggling with conflict.

Held on November 24th, at the Bloomsbury Big Top in London, the annual awards recognise the important work carried out by family lawyers, celebrating their many successes and outstanding achievement.

This year marked the 11th anniversary since the inaugural event, and the first to have taken place in person since the start of the pandemic.

NFM - the largest provider of family mediation in England and Wales, and the only non-profit provider with national coverage - was the appointed charity partner for the third year running.

It was chosen in recognition of the work that it does supporting legal professionals by managing the emotions and conflict surrounding divorce and separation, enabling them to focus on the legal issues that arise for their clients.

The funds will now be used to pay for the publication of specially designed Parenting Plan booklets that can be used to support both parents and children, as well as consultation sessions for families with expert mediators.  

Just £30 pays for 200 booklets, and £80 can fund a consultation session.

Jane Robey, NFM’s CEO, said: “The last year or so has been so difficult for so many people, and we are dealing with more enquiries than ever from people who need our support.

“Thankfully, the funds raised at this year’s Family Law Awards will go a very long way in providing access to mediation for families in crisis, and we are so very grateful to everyone that donated so generously.

Jane says that while including children in mediation is vital, it has always been underfunded. She explains: “Offering children a real voice when it comes to having a say in their family’s future has been particularly challenging in light of recent events, when social distancing restrictions meant that many sessions were conducted remotely and online.

“These funds will provide much needed help to include children in mediation free of charge.”

Jane continues: “As the lawyers we work alongside know, when parents separate it’s often the children who feel left behind, uncertain about the future with no place to share their concerns.

“Child-inclusive mediation means we can help parents focus on their children’s needs at this difficult time and help give them a voice. It gives the children a stake in shaping their own futures, and keeps parents focussed on their children’s needs.”