Family Matters received more new mediation enquiries in January 2020, opening 107 cases, than it has received since 2017.
Managing director, Juliette Dalrymple, attributes the increase to a number of possible factors, including:
- An increase in the number of people who decide over the Christmas period that they need to separate.
- Recommendations by family or friends who have previously used Family Matters to help with their divorce and separation issues.
- Increased awareness of the time it takes to go through a court process and the cost and stress involved in it.
- The need to come to an initial meeting (MIAM) and receive the certificate before they can apply to court.
Juliette says:
“It is always difficult when there are issues in a relationship, either during or following separation. Mediation will help separating people to make arrangements that are realistic and workable and take account of their own personal situation. We have been carrying out family mediation and training new family mediators since 2000 when Family Matters started. Since I trained as a mediator, I have seen an increased awareness of mediation and a better understanding of its value, which has resulted in more and more people using mediation to sort out issues relating to their divorce and separation. I have also seen an increase in the number of professionals training to become family mediators.”
Family Matters is based in Doncaster and has a number of outreach offices throughout Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire. We can make arrangements to see you in any of our offices. Our dedicated team of professionals is always available to take your call on 03300 881440 or email, so please contact us now. You can also make an appointment online here.
