Hartlepool charity helps couple face up to separation

The vital work of the Hartlepool-based Changing Futures North East organisation is helping dozens of people to face up to conflict. And it is achieving admirable results.

But now, Changing Futures wants to spread the word about its services in the hope that more couples can handle separation in a much more constructive and productive way.

And one important message will also hopefully go out - that it does not have to cost the earth to go through mediation.

Martin Todd, deputy chief executive of Changing Futures North East, urged couples in conflict to come forward.

The organisation, which is a charity and a limited company, was originally called Headland Futures and was involved in youth provision.

But as the service expanded its range of services, the name change happened and the services grew to have more of a focus on families and young people.

Now, Changing Futures looks at relationships and the importance of them within families and communities.

“We offer a range of services and the key thing is they all support healthy relationships.

“Where parents have split and are struggling to reach agreement around arrangements for children, what happens when they have separated.

“We deliver a range of mediation and conflict resolution services to help them and put them in the driving seat, as opposed to going towards the family courts where it is taken out of their hands.”

Changing Futures can offer help such as mediation sessions – working with individuals at first and hopefully working towards bringing the adults together to jointly look at the issues.

In the 2014-2015 year, Changing Futures worked with more than 230 parents and around 400 children.

Success rates are high and feedback shows that people who come forward have low levels of conflict after Changing Futures intervention.

But not everyone is aware of the facility – and many people have a misconception that it could cost them lots of money. That need not be the case.

Martin added: “Lots of people are eligible for legal aid. They tend not to ask for help because they think there is a hefty cost but we want to let people know that there are heavily discounted mediation services here.

“And when compared to formal legal proceedings, it is a small proportion of what that cost would be.”

And anyone who gets in touch can have a phone conversation without any obligation to go further.

Fourteen staff and a team of more than 50 volunteers work with the organisation.

Martin added: “Separation is a very normal thing. It is when it is not dealt with that the family can suffer and not least the children.

“Changing Futures gives parents an opportunity to decide what is best for the family.”

This time of year is particularly appropriate for the service to be highlighted as, unfortunately, many families face up to separation around Christmas.”

But Changing Futures can help make a difficult situation, a one which can be faced in a more achievable way.

For those wanting more information, visit www.changingfuturesne.co.uk