Altrincham Child Contact Centre 

Based at the Hub, the Altrincham Child Contact Centre was established in 1990 and is an accredited member of the National Association of Child Contact Centres. There are over 300 such centres across the UK which provide support for separated families by offering a safe and secure environment for children to spend time with their non-resident parent (or sometimes with their grandparents or siblings). We provide supported contact, staffed by DBS-checked volunteers and are open every other Saturday from 9.30am to 12.30pm.

Our aim is to offer a pleasant, comfortable environment, with toys and games for all ages, a soft play area and light refreshments, where children and parents who now live apart, can enjoy quality time together.

What is supported contact?

Supported contact offers facilities to enable children to develop and maintain positive relationships with non-resident parents and other family members. They are suitable for families where no significant risk to the child or those around the child have been identified. Impartiality is an important element and staff and volunteers are available for assistance but there is no close observation, monitoring or evaluation of individual contact or conversation.

Usually several families are together in one or a number of rooms and the environment encourages families to develop mutual trust. No detailed reports are made unless there is a risk of harm. Arrival & departure times of all parties are recorded and can be provided, in writing, if requested. Parents do not have to meet and we can provide facilities for a “handover” where there is agreement that the child(ren) can be taken out of the centre.

We welcome referrals from solicitors, social services or via the Family Court. We will also consider “self-referrals” direct from families who are wishing to use the facility. We are sponsored by Altrincham Baptist Church and make no charge for the service that we offer.

Please email acccwa14@altrinchambaptist.org to make an enquiry

The Contact Centre is run by a welcoming and dedicated group of volunteers. Please contact them on the email address above and they will get back to you as soon as possible. As volunteers they are not sat at a desk manning the emails and therefore it might take slightly longer to reply. (Please note the Hub staff do not have direct involvement with the Contact Centre and are unable to answer queries regarding referrals. All enquiries will be directed to the above email.)

Useful documents

Referral form (resident parent)
Referral form (non-resident parent)
Referral form (Solicitors, social services)
Helpful guidelines