FNF Both Parents Matter Cymru Reviews 24

I found very little use of this organisation and overall, it would have been better if I never got involved with Both Parents Matter Cymru, due to false hope and wrong expectations that wasted a lot of time and opportunities but resulted in no action or improvement in our child's and my own personal circumstances. There were a few very unprofessional practices or bizarre events during handling my case that completely undermined the process and caused significant distress and further separation from our child.

Firstly, I'm still unsure if I ever had an actual case raised with the charity. I reached out to them in 2021, but due to some miscommunication (apparently, message was left on my voicemail), we didn't have any contact for an another two years, when I started attending the monthly sessions in Cardiff. Then the management found my records from years ago, without any progress made or assessment completed. This remained the case throughout and as I understand, I never actually had a former case allocated with the charity. On their website, they were supposed to run a buddy service and there would have been case managers, but again, that was not my experience. I asked a few people for help in private and I asked more in group talks, but no one offered any help completing forms and documents, with one tiny exception, which I will cover later.

I explained that I was autistic and a foreign speaker, as well as had severe anxiety and had a traumatic experience with the other parent of the child who was extremely controlling, so I needed assistance communicating, which even included drafting documents, which I always did, even in other, less stressful subjects, with assistance.

The legal help session was usually reduced (if there was a solicitor present), to being able to ask basic questions, but they had no time to even read through the basic papers, so it was largely theoretical and not actual legal advice. One solicitor was particularly soul-destroying in her usual manner of apathy and not being bothered about some actual circumstances.

On one occasions, I raised my hand for needing legal advice at the beginning of the session, to which the head of charity responded that "No, you don't", without even having an understanding of where we were in the process or why I needed to ask for some advice. This may have been part of the unfortunate bravado by the gentleman, who was increasingly using profanities and was turning the sessions into an organised moaning and and a bit of a taster into separated dad life, when no one seems to cares about or understands one.

I have spoken a few times, my story was very much in line with the typical story of the mother getting a GP note for generic and unverified domestic abuse to secure legal aid, only to protect her abusive decision and to justify total refusal of contact with the child.

With a little bit of legal background, I recognised the procedural errors, but without communicating it effectively, I could not even properly represent myself in various stages of the sort process and I felt completely hopeless and abandoned by the organisation. I've had my fact finding and various hearings, including the final one that I was hoping to share and discuss at the sessions, but not once I could speak about them as the line did not get to me on these occasions.

Especially after a member of the management sadly passed away, the monthly sessions largely turned into meaningless conversations about the unfair system and much of the time was taken up by some new or regular attendees talking about their case, some of which should have been done as part of their private case assessment. Some regulars were getting more speak time and in the end, as I had no actual practical or legal assistance and I didn't see the point of travelling an hour each way to listen to general complaining about the toxic family court, social/childrens' services and contact centres, I stopped going for a number of months.

When I returned, while I could still not draft documents or complete forms at the time, the manager kindly sent a message to our son's solicitor about an issue that arose about the contact centre. We received no response, I was really unwell, getting worse and by the time I could have attended a session again, the charity had a notice of closure.

Overall, I regret placing any hopes in the charity. If this was a regulated law firm, it would have seized to operate sooner and differently. Perhaps it helped some people, provided actual legal assistance or referrals, it may have helped some to speak about their problems, but overall, I did not feel that it actually helped in any way and the frustration and bitterness about not getting support when I could not summarise my case in writing was awful. There must be a better way of doing this

Brilliant Charity with great knowledge and structure to help service users. Supported me legally and emotionally through the toughest times, I'm forever grateful.

Wow this charity picked me up and gave me a fighting chance at being able to see my daughter again. Heart broken and down trodden the support that Both Parents Matter Cymru offered me was priceless. When nobody was there to help, you guys truly went the extra mile! Thank you to everyone at the charity for your support. Thank you so much!

They were the only beacon of light in my darkest times, terrible shame to see them go

Wonderful team who helped many desperate people when all the others turned their face away. My gratitude is beyond speech. I am sure that all the people supported by this charity will never forget their help.

The guys at Families Need Fathers are an amazing enterprise that give hope in a world coloured to see gender instead of the parent - I cannot thank them enough for the way they swiftly dealt with my case and supported me to the point I’m at now - a truly wonderful group of professionals who I cannot recommend high enough

Amazing people. Doing amazing things. Just a pity they are not being funded by government. But then doing the right thing morally usually isn't accepted well in today's climate.

Both parents matter, have been absolutely fantastic with me. In my time of need, when I needed someone to listen to me and see me as a parent, They were there. I’m beyond grateful for your help and experience in hiding me through the most difficult time of my life.
My children now both reside with me, flourishing in school, I’ve also joined a charity to help within my community regarding children’s education. And also my boys have a chance at higher education.
Thankyou both parents matter for being there and giving me the confidence and the knowledge to progress in my children’s lives and know that I can do it!
Kind regards the Davis household.

BPM was an amazing help and support towards my Family Court case. Very compassionate and very understanding. Such a shame to see the charity closing down.

The charity's work is needed now more than ever, but it appears I'm not the only one to have been confused after a charity in England adopted an identical name. In fact, it wasn't until the closure was announced and I looked closer that I realised I'd paid a sub to the "wrong" but identically named charity.

The identically named other charity in England seems to have lost its way recently, and I can't help but think that this has had a negative effect on this separate Welsh charity.

A huge thanks to all the support, resources and information provided to myself and others. It was greatly appreciated and I hope the support workers are able to continue helping people in other ways.

"I am grateful for the support and guidance I received from Both Parents Matter Cymru. The case advisors were professional, compassionate, and dedicated to helping fathers and families through difficult times. Their advice gave me confidence and reassurance when I needed it most. It is sad to see the charity closing, but I truly appreciate the work they have done over the years and the positive impact they have had on so many lives. Thank you to all the staff and volunteers for your commitment and care."

I found that the help and advice from all staff was absolutely fantastic and I would recommend anyone seeking advice regarding these type of matters to get in touch with FNF.

Thanks again.

I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the fantastic people that have helped me through my case at Both Parents Matter.

And a specific thank you to the wonderful and wise woman who took my first phone call which provided me with peace and compassion. It truly changed my personal outlook on things at a very dark time.

It seems a shame to write this knowing this access is not available to the next person, funding is so desperately needed in this area.

The law and British society will one day look back in shame at this archaic and broken system designed purely for profit and not for the welfare of children who deserve both parents in their lives.

Thank you to all at BPM that dedicated their time for us.

They got me in touch with a solicitor who was willing to take my case little did I know they would not appeal family court decision or question cafcass officer report I went from being my child primary carer since birth to now only seeing them three days a week tried to complain to the law company no response I watch my child leave me after contact crying and screaming for me Everytime but I felt I was let down and my child was too 28 months I had my child with me every day was assured my case was good would remain with me and just other parent got access instead I am the one who lost out it's heartbreaking

This organisation helped me a lot. And I am sad that they are no longer operating. Hopefully it would be replaced by someone equally good. Thanks

Have had absolutely amazing support from this entirely private & grant funded charity, who do a fantastic job helping parents (particularly Dads), finding themselves going through the Family Court system (and all the unexpected pitfalls, traps, trials & tribulations - it's been a personally really eye opening experience to say the least !!!).

The guys (& gals) that run it are really dedicated to their jobs (having had personal experience of the system), & provide a much needed helpline, buddy & legal support (with the help of a handfull of volunteers) - in a system where Dads are often met with false alegations, hostility, & total misandry, without the legal back up of the law to help us.

The outcomes the charity have helped many many Dads (including myself) & their children is nothing short of amazing - & life changing for the better.

They also organise social activities for the kids & dads, giving them a chance to interact with others in similar situations to themselves. My own child really looks forward to these, and has helped him no ends seeing that there are many other kids going through the same things as him - and really stand out in his memories of the past few years, which i'm sure will stay with him for life.

Unfortunately, the charity has not been able to raise the relatively small amount of funding necessary to be able to continue from just before Christmas 2025 - a time of year when their help is needed more than ever.

I am bitterly disappointed for kids in particular, & their dads who are currently (& in the future) blissfully unaware of the Family court system that awaits them, due to a relatively small amount of funding that is needed for such an amazing charity, to do fantastic priceless work way beyond the cost.

Absolutely horrific. The national manager of the company actually assisted my abuser and perpetrator all through court and I actually enabled, encouraged and worked along side my abuser of 5 years adding to my fear and anxiety and PTSD.
He intimidated me. Was very unprofessional in nature and has been overall a diabolical experience having this organisation and manager of the organisation work against me in a court of law in respect of my children he quite honestly knew nothing about, he believed all the lies and fabrication of my ex partner who has coerced my daughter, myself and abused me financially, emotionally and mentally for over 5 years and I’ve had ongoing support from legitimate organisations to support myself as the genuine victim.

I have a had a very postive experience with this organisation. Understanding, helpful and professional are just a few words that come to mind. I am extremely grateful for the help and advice provided. I have and would recommended the organisation.

Once again, thank you for your help at such a emotional and difficult time.

Invaluable source of support, advice and services that help during the most trying of times. Lots of resources available and genuinely caring people

As a grandmother who watched her youngest son deal with both Family court and the loss of contact with his two young sons, BPM was the only resource available to be able to find support and a ray of hope, that the awful grieving would end with reunification. That was several years ago - the process now is refined and services covering the legal side and also the emotional support side are second to none.