Aims of Families Need Fathers

Families Need Fathers is a registered UK charity which provides information and support to parents, including unmarried parents, of either sex. FNF is chiefly concerned with the problems of maintaining a child's relationship with both parents during and after family breakdown. Founded in 1974, FNF helps thousands of parents every year.

The annual subscription costs less than a few minutes of a solicitor's time, and gives access to a wide range of information and support that is beyond the scope of some lawyers. We have a rapidly growing number of grandparents and women members.

What we believe

• Children have a right to a continuing loving relationship with both parents
• Children need to be protected from the harm of losing contact with one parent
• Both parents should be treated equally and shared parenting should be encouraged
• Each parent has a unique contribution to make to their children's development
• The Family Courts should be backed by a nationally funded mediation service
• Litigation is not the prefered route for resolving post separation childrens matters

What we do

• We work to increase awareness of the problems of family breakdown
• We produce booklets, leaflets, a website and a regular newsletter
• We hold local self-help branch meetings throughout the UK
• We provide support to members through our internet forums
• We operate a national helpline as a member of the Telephone Helplines Association
• We have a network of volunteer telephone contacts
• We run Parenting Support workshops
• We provide speakers and case studies for the press and media
• We participate in family policy forums and seminars
• We respond to government consultations
• We lobby Parliament and the legal profession
• We collate and promote relevant research information