There are many different sorts of families. Not all families live together.
When some families become separated, it can lead to challenges regarding co–parenting and child contact.
If you are finding it difficult to agree on contact arrangements, we may be able to help.
YMCA Bournemouth have been providing supervised, supported, virtual and handover family times since 2017.
We are a child-focused impartial service, which puts the needs of the children first.
Child Contact Centres provide a facility for maintaining contact between the child and non–resident family members whilst a longer-term solution is established.
We offer different types of Family Time
Supervised Family Time
Where it is assessed that there might be a higher risk or greater complexity in a family’s circumstances. These sessions will be supervised by staff who are experienced in this role.
Observations will be made, and reports will be written. Staff will remain within sight and sound of children at all times.
This can be in the centre or out in the community.
Supported Family Time
Where the level of risk is assessed to be lower than might be the case for supervised contact.
It may be used as a way to progress from supervised contact.
In supported contact, direct observations are not made and reports are not written.
Staff or volunteers will be present to ensure the safety of those engaging in the service.
This can be for just one family or in a group.
Virtual Family Time
If a non-resident family member is unable to get to the centre to visit the child, perhaps due to distance, we can facilitate family time on Zoom. This can be supervised or supported depending on need.
Handover Family Time
This is a service offered, in order to support a child moving from one parent to another. Contact will take place away from a centre with no professional involvement.
Handovers can often be used as a way to progress from supported or supervised contact.
If you are still not sure which family time is best for your family NACCC have a checklist that may help. NACCC website
Contact Centre Locations and Facilities
- The Stourvale Centre, Southbourne
108 Stourvale Road, Bournemouth BH6 5JB
An ideal venue for under 8s with a safe outdoor space, sensory play, a playroom with toys/games, and a kitchen. - Townsend Youth Centre
Jewell Road, Bournemouth BH8 0LT
A suitable venue for all children and families. Includes a multi-use games area, a garden, fully equipped kitchen, pool table, toys and games.
Opening Hours
Monday – Sunday 9am -7pm
Opening hours are flexible according to the needs of the family. Not all sites are available every day.
Please contact us on the form below for more information.
Referrals
We accept referrals from professionals, including from CAFCASS directly, but also self-referrals from parties wishing to use the service.
Please click here to download the referral form in Word (best completed on a desktop rather than mobile device) or here to download the pdf version.
Please call us on 01202 434310 or contact us on the form below with any questions, or submit a completed rererral form to ccc@ymcabournemouth.org.uk Completed forms can also be delivered to YMCA Bournemouth Child Contact Centre, The Stourvale Centre, 108 Stourvale Road, BH6 5JB
Additional Information
YMCA Bournemouth are accredited by the National Association of Child Contact Centres (NACCC)
The service remains aware of and responds to the needs of adults and children with impairments.
How You Can Help Us!
We are a charity and any help you can offer us, whether it be a donation, taking part in one of our fundraising events or volunteering your time, is hugely appreciated. Thank you!
Between April 2024 – March 2025 we delivered 1,607 of family contact.
We are enhanced accredited members of the National Association of Child Contact Centres
Download Leaflet
Parent Feedback
We welcome feedback regarding all of our facilities and services so please don’t hesitate to get in touch using the form below if you’d like to give us some feedback or make some suggestions.
The attached video shows the words that appeared most frequently in feedback from parents across a range of courses.
“A big thank you to all the team, from making the initial phone enquiries to the end of the visits. I was very nervous from the outset regarding contact with my child. Will I be judged? Will there be a social worker sitting on my shoulder making me feel uncomfortable? No, these are a fantastic group who just want the best outcome for all. After a few visits you get used to someone being in the background but that is literally where they are. In fact after a while your child and yourself forget there is someone else with you. The coordinator will do their upmost to fit visits in to accommodate all parties involved. It is no understatement to say they have changed the future I will now have with my child. Thank you.``
Father
“I can’t believe we have been able to move on this far. Last year I never would have thought I would be seeing my son in my home. I have the CCC staff to thank for helping us get this far!``
Father
``Having visited the centres myself earlier this year, I found the layout and staff involved to be very professional and family friendly. I believe that the service available from YMCA Bournemouth also goes beyond mere supervision/support for contact to engaging more with the parents.``
Local Family Law partner
“The reason I chose your centre is because I believe you have it right. You are looking at things from the child’s viewpoint, and having a visit at home has obviously helped to settle my daughter’s fears and put my mind at rest.”
Mother
“Your Centre facilities and the staff we have interacted with thus far really do raise the bar! We have no doubt our child is going to be very content exploring all the resources available in the contact rooms.``
Parent
``During our home visit the child responded excitedly about making decisions about what she would like to do during the time with her father.``
Staff
“After 20 months of no contact what so ever with my little boy aged 5, the Court finally decided that his mother should bring him for contact. Due to the long break in contact, YMCA CCC was named in the order as place to provide contact sessions. From my first call to the admin team, the process of arranging sessions ( supervised ) was on a professional level. All information was provided and explained. Replies to my emails were quick providing the information needed.
Then from the first visit my little one and myself felt comfortable there. YMCA provides facilities with plenty of room to play, toys, games, a proper kitchen, toilet and outside space. There are plenty of toys for any child with different interests. Staff there - and we met quite a few members, are like “kind of family friends nearby”, always in the shadow - in not an intrusive way, but always with watchful eye – as they need to provide detailed notes – plenty of them. This is actually very good experience as they may help you to point to the needs of your child/ren in future hearings. After 5 months, due to a delay in Court we moved to supported family time in the community for short time and again the supporting staff appeared to the public more as an accompanying friend nearby, rather than someone who is watching you. Again, they were always professional. Then we had handovers a few times and again all staff were helpful to arrange everything as smooth as possible.
I highly recommend YMCA CCC Bournemouth as this is the place where you can take the opportunity to see your child/ren and I would urge you to fight for a contact in children contact centre at the earliest opportunity possible as this is a dedicated safe place to facilitate such contact.
Jackie and her Team are amazing. If there need to be any changes with day / time of session Jackie is going an extra mile to help as this needs to work out between parents and YMCA, it can be difficult if the parents cannot speak with each other. It is a family friendly place with focus on child/ren. The team are always happy to chat before or after session and give a few warming words. We had always very good time there, it was as close to home time as possible in the circumstances.``
Parent
``We just wanted to offer our appreciation and gratitude for the consistent and authentic approach of the YMCA'S Child Contact Centre staff towards our children, throughout the challenges of 'child-parent contact' over the last 3 years.
Over the last 12 years of dealing with various professionals including:
Family Court judges, barristers, lawyers, Social workers, Cafcass, GPS's, Independent Social workers, teachers, safeguarding school staff, Child inclusive mediators and 'Early Help' departments, we have rarely experienced such a 'child focused', truly caring, empathetic and respectful regard for children.
Thank you to J and the YMCA Child Contact Centre staff team for doing what you advertise, which is to 'See things through the eyes of the child'.
Many Thanks ``
Parent
``Many thanks to you all for making such a smooth transition for C. He has loved coming to contact and playing. I've never left C before so this was very difficult for me as a mum, you worry, probably too much about everything 😊..
The staff and their professional approach has been nothing but amazing and C seemed to make a happy bond with M, the supervisor, as she was so child focused and understanding.
I can't praise the centre enough for the support for our family and now finally moving forward at C pace.
You all do such an amazing job for families that are all in different situations, I'm sure.
But thank you all for bringing it all together for mine ❤️.``
Parent
“I hope you realise how important the work that you do is, it is honestly the only time that I feel I can breathe when I’m with my son at the centre.
I cannot thank you enough.``
Parent
“II just wanted to say a massive thank you for all the support you and the YMCA Southbourne staff given me during the Supervised Contact with my little one, honestly it means a lot, especially that I never been in this situation before you made everything clear and supported me throughout. Again Thank You so much for all the help.
Wish you and YMCA all the best in future.``
Parent
“I just wanted to write to you both to thank you for providing a wonderful service and safe space for H to build her relationship with her father. Watching H grow in confidence week after week at the Centre has been wonderful to see, and that is thanks to your support.
To Sarah especially as we have interacted the most, you are amazing at what you do and have made me feel at ease in this most uncertain time of my life navigating co parenting.
Please thank all the centre staff for me.``
Parent
“My children and I are so grateful for everything the YMCA atTownsend has provided. The support, compassion and expertise the YMCA has offered has created a warm, friendly and safe environment for contact. The reports written have been extremely detailed and most helpful as evidence throughout family court proceedings. Within 5 sessions we have now progressed to unsupervised contact. Staff cannot do enough to help and I would highly recommend their services to other families. YMCA at Townsend, thank you from the bottom of my heart!``
Parent
“May I also pass on to you, how absolutely wonderful M, and J have been. I always think there are so many times people only get told by managers when there’s an issue but credit where credit it due; they both have gone above and beyond too, to make us feel comfortable and been so compassionate always, so I wanted them to be acknowledged and recognised also for the brilliant job they both do. Not to say the rest of the team aren’t brilliant; but I hope they know what a difference they have made to me and my son too.``
Parent
“The Bournemouth YMCA contact staff are dedicated and professional. They helped create a friendly, safe and caring environment for my children who always looked forward to the sessions. They were unobtrusive so you hardly knew they were there unless there was something you needed assistance with. They always went the extra mile to ensure the wellbeing of my children - even spotting signs of
anxiety which ensured problems were addressed. These were included in contact notes which were always clear, thorough and informative.
The facilities at Stourvale and Townsend are good so there is plenty to keep the children active and entertained - from an outdoor sports court at the youth club to a sensory garden at headquarters. There's a good kitchen area at both so you can prepare meals and dine comfortably together. I cannot praise the after- care help enough as staff were brilliant at providing advice on various health and legal issues, not just for me but other members of my family, or signposting you to agencies that could help. All the best.``
Peter
“A big thank you to all the team, from making the initial phone enquiries to the end of the visits. I was very nervous from the outset regarding contact with my child. Will I be judged? Will there be a social worker sitting on my shoulder making me feel uncomfortable? No, these are a fantastic group who just want the best outcome for all. After a few visits you get used to someone being in the background but that is literally where they are. In fact after a while your child and yourself forget there is someone else with you. The coordinator will do their upmost to fit visits in to accommodate all parties involved. It is no understatement to say they have changed the future I will now have with my child. Thank you.``
Father
“I can’t believe we have been able to move on this far. Last year I never would have thought I would be seeing my son in my home. I have the CCC staff to thank for helping us get this far!``
Father
``Having visited the centres myself earlier this year, I found the layout and staff involved to be very professional and family friendly. I believe that the service available from YMCA Bournemouth also goes beyond mere supervision/support for contact to engaging more with the parents.``
Local Family Law partner
“The reason I chose your centre is because I believe you have it right. You are looking at things from the child’s viewpoint, and having a visit at home has obviously helped to settle my daughter’s fears and put my mind at rest.”
Mother
“Your Centre facilities and the staff we have interacted with thus far really do raise the bar! We have no doubt our child is going to be very content exploring all the resources available in the contact rooms.``
Parent
``During our home visit the child responded excitedly about making decisions about what she would like to do during the time with her father.``
Staff
“After 20 months of no contact what so ever with my little boy aged 5, the Court finally decided that his mother should bring him for contact. Due to the long break in contact, YMCA CCC was named in the order as place to provide contact sessions. From my first call to the admin team, the process of arranging sessions ( supervised ) was on a professional level. All information was provided and explained. Replies to my emails were quick providing the information needed.
Then from the first visit my little one and myself felt comfortable there. YMCA provides facilities with plenty of room to play, toys, games, a proper kitchen, toilet and outside space. There are plenty of toys for any child with different interests. Staff there - and we met quite a few members, are like “kind of family friends nearby”, always in the shadow - in not an intrusive way, but always with watchful eye – as they need to provide detailed notes – plenty of them. This is actually very good experience as they may help you to point to the needs of your child/ren in future hearings. After 5 months, due to a delay in Court we moved to supported family time in the community for short time and again the supporting staff appeared to the public more as an accompanying friend nearby, rather than someone who is watching you. Again, they were always professional. Then we had handovers a few times and again all staff were helpful to arrange everything as smooth as possible.
I highly recommend YMCA CCC Bournemouth as this is the place where you can take the opportunity to see your child/ren and I would urge you to fight for a contact in children contact centre at the earliest opportunity possible as this is a dedicated safe place to facilitate such contact.
Jackie and her Team are amazing. If there need to be any changes with day / time of session Jackie is going an extra mile to help as this needs to work out between parents and YMCA, it can be difficult if the parents cannot speak with each other. It is a family friendly place with focus on child/ren. The team are always happy to chat before or after session and give a few warming words. We had always very good time there, it was as close to home time as possible in the circumstances.``
Parent
``We just wanted to offer our appreciation and gratitude for the consistent and authentic approach of the YMCA'S Child Contact Centre staff towards our children, throughout the challenges of 'child-parent contact' over the last 3 years.
Over the last 12 years of dealing with various professionals including:
Family Court judges, barristers, lawyers, Social workers, Cafcass, GPS's, Independent Social workers, teachers, safeguarding school staff, Child inclusive mediators and 'Early Help' departments, we have rarely experienced such a 'child focused', truly caring, empathetic and respectful regard for children.
Thank you to J and the YMCA Child Contact Centre staff team for doing what you advertise, which is to 'See things through the eyes of the child'.
Many Thanks ``
Parent
``Many thanks to you all for making such a smooth transition for C. He has loved coming to contact and playing. I've never left C before so this was very difficult for me as a mum, you worry, probably too much about everything 😊..
The staff and their professional approach has been nothing but amazing and C seemed to make a happy bond with M, the supervisor, as she was so child focused and understanding.
I can't praise the centre enough for the support for our family and now finally moving forward at C pace.
You all do such an amazing job for families that are all in different situations, I'm sure.
But thank you all for bringing it all together for mine ❤️.``
Parent
“I hope you realise how important the work that you do is, it is honestly the only time that I feel I can breathe when I’m with my son at the centre.
I cannot thank you enough.``
Parent
“II just wanted to say a massive thank you for all the support you and the YMCA Southbourne staff given me during the Supervised Contact with my little one, honestly it means a lot, especially that I never been in this situation before you made everything clear and supported me throughout. Again Thank You so much for all the help.
Wish you and YMCA all the best in future.``
Parent
“I just wanted to write to you both to thank you for providing a wonderful service and safe space for H to build her relationship with her father. Watching H grow in confidence week after week at the Centre has been wonderful to see, and that is thanks to your support.
To Sarah especially as we have interacted the most, you are amazing at what you do and have made me feel at ease in this most uncertain time of my life navigating co parenting.
Please thank all the centre staff for me.``
Parent
“My children and I are so grateful for everything the YMCA atTownsend has provided. The support, compassion and expertise the YMCA has offered has created a warm, friendly and safe environment for contact. The reports written have been extremely detailed and most helpful as evidence throughout family court proceedings. Within 5 sessions we have now progressed to unsupervised contact. Staff cannot do enough to help and I would highly recommend their services to other families. YMCA at Townsend, thank you from the bottom of my heart!``
Parent
“May I also pass on to you, how absolutely wonderful M, and J have been. I always think there are so many times people only get told by managers when there’s an issue but credit where credit it due; they both have gone above and beyond too, to make us feel comfortable and been so compassionate always, so I wanted them to be acknowledged and recognised also for the brilliant job they both do. Not to say the rest of the team aren’t brilliant; but I hope they know what a difference they have made to me and my son too.``
Parent
“The Bournemouth YMCA contact staff are dedicated and professional. They helped create a friendly, safe and caring environment for my children who always looked forward to the sessions. They were unobtrusive so you hardly knew they were there unless there was something you needed assistance with. They always went the extra mile to ensure the wellbeing of my children - even spotting signs of
anxiety which ensured problems were addressed. These were included in contact notes which were always clear, thorough and informative.
The facilities at Stourvale and Townsend are good so there is plenty to keep the children active and entertained - from an outdoor sports court at the youth club to a sensory garden at headquarters. There's a good kitchen area at both so you can prepare meals and dine comfortably together. I cannot praise the after- care help enough as staff were brilliant at providing advice on various health and legal issues, not just for me but other members of my family, or signposting you to agencies that could help. All the best.``
Peter
