A Welwyn woman is hoping to raise money for mothers who are struggling to cover the cost of using child contact centres.

Charlene Chiwanza started the fundraiser after frequently hearing stories from victims on low income who have to choose paying for contact over food shopping or keeping their house warm. 

“Due to the high cost of living, victims are struggling to cover the weekly contact costs and they are forced to skip meals to afford to see their children in the contact centre,” Charlene said. 

According to Charlene, the cost of the contact centres range from £22.50 per hour without a report, to £70 per hour with a report. 

The reports are crucial as they demonstrate the relationship between the children and their mothers which is observed by an independent third party. 

The courts decide which parent must cover the cost of using the contact centre on a case-by-case basis. 

A contact centre is a safe place for children to spend time with loved ones who they have been separated from. 

The independent third party who observes the contact is vital in helping move the contact forward.  

Therefore, helping to cover costs will reduce the impact on the mothers’ health and wellbeing so she can focus on the long term solution which is unsupervised contact and preparation for when their children are returned to them. 

This fundraiser is also personal to Charlene, as prior to working in a legal career, she struggled to make ends meet while raising a child and experiencing post-separation abuse. 

This motivated her to set up Sisters Thriving - a support network for women and children who are surviving with post-separation abuse.  

The mother added: “The aim is to be an ally whose role is to support the women and children with rebuilding their lives and avoid being re-traumatised as well as signposting and supporting them with the family courts process.” 

“In addition, the goal is to also raise awareness on post-separation abuse as society, overall, believes abuse stops the moment the victim escapes from the perpetrator. When there are children involved, victims find themselves back in the hands of the perpetrator through the family court system.  

“They are then re-traumatised as the burden of proof usually lies with the victim to prove the abuse. In most cases, the professionals conclude the abuse is merely parental conflict which leaves mothers and children back in the situation they had managed to escape from.” 

Currently, Charlene’s fundraiser has raised £355, with the goal of raising £5,000 to help as many mothers as possible. 

To donate to her fundraiser, go to https://gofund.me/29c397e6