Burnett Barker becomes ‘Voices in the Middle’ partner

Local Solicitors, Burnett Barker, have been unveiled as the new partner of a national campaign, which is raising awareness of the importance of listening to the views of children and young people during family divorce or separations.

One in three young people in the UK suffer a family split by the age of 16.  Parents often try to keep their children away from any acrimony during difficult divorce proceedings, yet this distance can lead to children and teenagers feeling left out and unheard.

‘Voices in the Middle’ is a national collaboration between young people, The Family Initiative charity and the family law sector, to provide an online resource, enabling young people aged 13-19 to find support when they are experiencing a family divorce.

The Voices in the Middle website provides teenagers with a space where they will be listened to, and access any help or support they may need as they come to terms with the situation.  The website is also full of resources for parents to help them communicate with their child effectively.

Speaking of their involvement in the campaign, Daryl Griffiths, CEO of Burnett Barker Solicitors said: “We’re really proud to become a partner of this initiative because at its heart, it’s about taking the time to listen to every family member and resolve any issues as amicably as possible. This is an approach that we have long advocated – we believe that resolution is always better than a court scenario.

“There is often a misguided belief that children need to be kept away from any conversations regarding divorce or separation, but we believe that where appropriate, it can be hugely beneficial to involve young people in these discussions – after all, they are directly involved in the situation. It is heart-breaking to think that so many young people feel that they have not been listened to, and that feeling of being pushed aside can only make dealing with the divorce process that much harder.”

As well as supporting families and young people to deal with divorce and separation more effectively, the campaign is also seeking to share best practice guidance with professionals and the government.

Joanne Matthews, Burnett Barker’s Family Lawyer adds; “On a national scale, we all need to collaborate together more effectively to ensure that the opinions of young people are not only being listened to but are being actively considered. Being able to share best practice guidance and share thoughts and ideas with peers across the UK is a fantastic way of being able to minimise the impact of divorce and separation on younger generations.”

For more information about the Voices in the Middle campaign, visit voicesinthemiddle.com

For further information about Burnett Barker Solicitors, visit their website, call 01284 701131 or visit their offices at 20 Whiting Street, Bury St Edmunds.