Thanks for those who attended the AGM and Volunteer's Conference. Full report.

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35th Anniversary Tea Party

FNF held its 35th Anniversary party at the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday 21st October. A roaring success, FNFers, Members of Parliament and key players in the family arena gathered to hear speeches by Rt. Hon David Blunkett MP, Rt. Hon David Lammy MP, Jenni Pascoe and Chairman Charles Kenyon. Nigel Planer conducted proceedings and David Blunkett showed his strong support by remarking that "Families Need Fathers is critical to giving children the complete parenting that they deserve." Powerful words were spoken by Jenni Pascoe who recounted her painful experience of not being allowed a relationship with her father and how she has suffered as a consequence.

Other MPs in attendance were Susan Kramer MP, Andrew Selous MP, Henry Bellingham MP, Annette Brooke MP, Andrew George MP, Gerald Howarth MP, John Hemming MP, Alison Seabeck MP, Kate Hoey MP, Andrew Pelling MP and Alex Burghart from the Office of Tim Loughton. The tea party proved an exciting platform for discussing FNF’s achievements, goals for a future where families will have their fathers and not need our help, and the invaluable contribution made by volunteers. Charles Kenyon made it clear that there is still much work to be done: "it is with pride and sadness that we mark our 35th Anniversary. Pride at the families that we have helped, at the thousands of children who have had a relationship with their dads, grandparents, mums, aunts, uncles, cousins because of the support that we have provided, pride of the many, many volunteers that have made this possible, but sadness that we are still necessary today."

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If you missed the party you can watch the speeches on our YouTube channel here.

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Coping with Contact Denial and Stress of Litigation

This was the theme of the conference event organised by our Central London Branch (CLB) on 7^th May this year. We had a great turnout of members and service users, some of whom travelled well over a hundred miles to support the event and have a chance to ask questions and network with other members and experts who gave presentations on the day.

We are delighted to now be able to offer everyone the chance to view the presentations and materials from the day in the video links below.

1. Introduction by Vincent McGovern (5 minutes) - Chair of CLB
   
   
2. Dr John Barry of the Centre for Male Psychology
   Child contact and family court issues are related to chronic mental health problems for men following family breakdown (42 minutes)
   Dr Barry explains the research, approved by University College London, that he carried out, sponsored by Families Need Fathers with CLB. The research was carried out over 12 months. Nearly half of the time, fathers were shown to have concerning scores, indicating clinical depression, with the highest correlation in relation to child access issues. You can also read the research paper here.
   
   
3. Kim Beatson, Specialist in Family Law at Anthony Gold Solicitors LLP
   Findings of Fact Hearings (24 minutes) - Kim Beatson talks about Scott Schedules used to identify issues to be determined and subsequent Child Arrangements hearings. She clarifies points of law on when Findings of Fact hearings are needed and, importantly, when they are not (Re K and K). Kim talks about the frightening nature of having findings of fact to the lower threshold of proof of family (civil) courts, when the allegations being tested can lead to criminal prosecution. Download her summary note:
   Fact Finding Hearings
   
   
   
4. Martin Seager - Psychologist
   Alienated Dads - Looking After Your Mental Health (32 minutes) - Martin Seager identifies the support that dads need when experiencing the alienation of their children. He identifies the importance of the first five universal psychological needs of the human condition and then explains the specific issues such as recovering from the loss of a child who is still around and how being alienated violates core "male archetype" masculinity rules. Martin then moves on to making some practical suggestions on remaining positive, getting a team, getting organised and winning strategically. You can also hear the brief interview with Martin after the conference here (4 minutes).
   
   
5. Billy McGranaghan - founder of Dads House
   Dads House focus on practicalities of dads raising children on their own and getting help (7 minutes). He talks from experience of the lack of support available to fathers and what his organisation is doing to help men to overcome the barriers they face.
   
   
6. Summing Up by Paul O'Callaghan (8 minutes) - Chair of Families Need Fathers
   Paul O'Callaghan sums up the day, thanks all presenters and participants and presents a reconition award to Kim Beatson of Anthony Gold solicitors for the help she has given to FNF service users at our Central London Branch.

 Feedback from attendees at this conference was excellent. Here are some interviews with a few delegates after the event (10 minutes).

Thank You to Kim Beatson!

Presentation of thanks to Kim Beatson for many years of support of fathers
at FNF's Central London Branch

14^th August 2022

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