Programme Action: Contact Centre
Photo: Julie Collinson, Contact Centre Co-ordinator; Geraldine Farry SI Burnley past president and member of the Contact Centre Executive handing over the SI Burnley cheque to Julia Watson, Secretary of the Executive Committe of the Contact Centre; Barbara Murray SI Burnley past president and Jean McIntyre, former SI Accrington joint president and now a member of SI Burnley - one of the first links for the Contact Centre and a member of the winning quiz team at the 2009 fund raiser.
Following the Lord Chancellor’s Department’s “Making Contact Work” document in March 2001 and the responses collated by the Children’s Act Sub Committee of the L.C.’s Advisory Committee on family law, various initiatives were implemented.
There were numerous cases reported where divorced or estranged parents deliberately and repeatedly flouted the terms of contact rulings specified by the courts.
In 1997, His Honour Judge Gee contacted a Lancashire Soroptimist, Jean McIntyre who is now a member of the Burnley club - and the rest is history! A Contact Centre was established in Accrington and Soroptimist clubs in the area were asked to provide a rota of volunteers to facilitate and monitor the contact.
Members of SI Burnley have been working in partnership with other local Soroptimist clubs since its inception to provide support for this Contact Centre where the children of estranged parents can meet the absent parent in a safe environment.
Funds are always needed and in September 2009, SI Burnley member Gwen Greenwood held an Italian evening which raised £285 (see News on this site). This was handed over at a Quiz Night organised by the Contact Centre Executive. In total, about £1500 was raised and Burnley Soroptimists were proud to note that Jean McIntyre was in the winning quiz team and, with the good offices of ex club member Anne Farry, SI Burnley donated the first prize for the raffle - a weekend at a Shire Hotel!!
A number of SI Burnley club members have had police CRB checks and conscientiously attend the contact centre every six weeks or so. Club member Geraldine Farry, a local solicitor, is on the Executive Committee for the Contact Centre and is the link person for the SI Burnley members. Club members Marie Diggle coordinates the volunteers and ensures that we have a full compliment when it is our turn. Besides Geraldine and Marie and retired club members Janet Bullas, Anne Farry regularly volunteer alongside current club members Ann Haddock, Una Green, Valorie Halstead, Barbara Murray, Kath Howarth and Judith Nesbitt to offer their services to this very worthwhile and vital provision.
SI Burnley is committed to continue their support to the Project.