My journey into the realm of family advocacy began in 2014, after a series of harrowing experiences within the Family Court System.
Being naive and equally ignorant, facing numerous allegations, broke, bearing the immense pain of not having contact with our child, and without previous experience, I was forced to represent myself as a litigant in person in a complex legal battle that left even seasoned solicitors perplexed.
Immersing myself in the intricacies of Family Law in the UK, I devoured every piece of relevant information and, against all odds, presented my case eloquently and achieved an outstanding outcome.
In desperate need of emotional support and affordable legal guidance I approached a charity in the UK, where I found comfort and a community dedicated to shared parenting. As my involvement and knowledge deepened, I was invited to join the committee of the central London branch in 2018. Initially tasked with overseeing social media, I went on to chair weekly meetings and, in 2021, was elected as a trustee for the National Council. By 2023, I assumed the role of Chair for the Central London Branch.
Drawing on my personal journey and shared parenting involvement, in 2019 I earned the title of McKenzie Friend. I've accumulated extensive experience in cases involving residence and contact disputes, allegations of DV, Parental Alienation, relocations (leave to remove), and Hague Convention cases on abduction.
In 2023, I was honoured to be invited to join the Advisory Board of a charity offering free legal assistance to Litigants in Person.
My professional background in Counselling, with Advanced Major Studies in Child Development and Positive Parenting, and Counselling in Abuse, has equipped me to tackle the complex issues surrounding family dynamics while providing the emotional support and parenting skills required.
A fervent dedication to children and family welfare led into a Family Support worker role. Involvement with over 100 families has allowed me to complement and extend my expertise to vulnerable young persons and families with complex needs, including those grappling with mental health issues and those involved in Public Law proceedings. I gained a deep understanding of social work related to children and dealing with local authorities, to the point that I was appointed by a charity to develop training modules for Family Support Workers.
As part of my ongoing professional development, I finished a Diploma Level 2 in Understanding Autism, and attended conferences for Managing the Trauma of Parental Break Up, Family Courts and Contact Denial for Litigants in Person, Parental Alienation, Male Victims of Domestic Abuse, Suicide Prevention and Balance Between Domestic Abuse and Child Welfare
These transformative experiences have propelled me to champion the welfare of children and vulnerable adults by providing vital services at an affordable price, each step of the way.
Join me in advocating for the child-parent relationship, child welfare, shared parenting, and a compassionate approach to the challenges faced by families.
