Free advice for separating Shropshire couples

A Shropshire family mediation service is opening its doors to offer free of charge help for people who are facing a post-Christmas separation and aren’t sure where to turn.

Wace Morgan Family Mediation Service, based in Shrewsbury, is offering free half-hour consultations to help people find out whether mediation could help them navigate through divorce and find the best way forward for themselves and their families.

The initiative is part of Family Mediation Week (11-15 January) organised by the Family Mediators Association, to raise awareness of family mediation as an alternative to costly court battles for separating couples.

Esther Evans of Wace Morgan’s family mediation team, said: “Many people contemplating separation or divorce believe it is inevitable that they will find themselves in court and every year thousands of families are torn apart by bitter court battles. Relationships between separating parents are irretrievably broken and all too often their children are caught up in the middle. 

“But it doesn’t have to be that way. Family mediation has helped many divorcing parents build a constructive future for their family, without a court imposing decisions on them, and research shows that mediation is often the best way for families to resolve conflicts. It is proven to be faster, less costly and – crucially – less adversarial than divorcing through the courts.

“Unfortunately, too few people realise this and end up locked in angry disputes that have far-reaching consequences for them and for their children. Sadly, this time of year often sees an increase in the number of couples going their separate ways.

“We want to help those people understand that lawyers and courts aren’t their only divorce option and also to let other people know that family mediation is an option they can suggest to friends or family members who are experiencing separation and don’t know where to go for help.”

People can arrange a free half-hour consultation with a trained family mediator by calling Steph Kitson, mediation coordinator at Wace Morgan Family Mediation Service on 01743 280 158.

For further information please call Steph Kitson on 01743 280 158