A north-east organisation that provides support and assistance to children from broken homes has been given a grant of almost £300,000 from the Big Lottery Fund.
The Avenue group provide sessions for families to keep in touch following divorces or separations at its eight child contact centres across Elgin, Aberdeen, and Peterhead.
Elizabeth Wallace, chief executive of the Peterhead-based group, said: “Our 80 years experience of working with children and families tell us that children who are able to develop and sustain a loving, stable relationship with both parents are happier, healthier, and better adjusted.
“Some separated parents find it very difficult to share their children’s time and, in some cases, it’s just too hard for parents to see each other after separation. For these parents, a child contact centre is a lifeline.”
The organisation depends on its volunteers, who act as mediators between divorced parents and encourage play and interaction between families that have gone through divorce.
Chid contact centre manager Arlene Harvey said: “Our volunteers benefit their community by supporting local families and children to have positive relationships and gain an optimistic perspective about their future.”