Swindon Family Contact Centre appeals for volunteers to keep sessions running

Swindon Family Contact Centre said it needed more volunteers to keep operating, in an appeal reported on 20 April 2026.

The centre provides a neutral, secure setting where children can spend time with a parent they do not live with. Its sessions ran twice a month on Saturdays and were supervised by trained volunteers, Swindon24 reported.

The service was described as "entirely dependent on volunteers to run". Organisers warned that without enough people to oversee sessions, families could lose one of the few safe contact options available locally.

What did volunteers do?

Volunteers supervised the sessions and helped to create a welcoming atmosphere. Those involved described the role as rewarding, especially when parents and children were reunited after a long time apart.

A recent session had supported six families, with activities indoors with toys and outside in the garden. For some of the families it followed months without contact.

The centre charged a small fee to cover training, venue hire and equipment.

How could people help?

Anyone interested in volunteering was encouraged to come forward. The report said more details about the service were available through the National Association of Child Contact Centres, which supports centres across the country.

Source: Swindon24.