SKIPTON Child Contact Centre is celebrating its 20th birthday.
It was set up by members of Soroptimist International of Skipton in Craven and is one of 403 contact centres across the country, under the parent body of NACCC – National Association of Child Contact Centres.
On the first and third Saturdays of every month, volunteers welcome estranged parents to the centre, where the children can spend time with the parent they don't live with, in safe and pleasant surroundings with lots of toys and games and, in the summer, a small garden to play in. The other parent can relax, knowing that the child is being supervised by volunteers.
The centre, in the Soroptimist Rooms in Otley Street, can accommodate up to six children in any one session. The average length of time for the parents to use the centre is about six months because it usually becomes possible for the child to see the other parent elsewhere.
Initial contact with the coordinator is made through the parents' solicitors and often follows court proceedings. Recently, this has become more difficult because of the huge cutbacks in Legal Aid, which across the country has meant fewer children being able to see the absent parent. However, families are still seeking to use the Skipton facilities, which are free of charge.
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