MATCH - Mothers Apart from Their Children

BM Box 6334
London
WC1N 3XX

Web: www.matchmothers.org

MATCH is a self-help support network (begun in 1979) and registered charity (2007) run entirely by volunteers who are, or have been, mothers separated from their children in a variety of circumstances. MATCH offers non-judgemental emotional support to mothers who are apart as a result of short or long-term mental or physical ill-health when children have been fostered or adopted, to mothers whose children have been abducted abroad by their fathers, to mothers who are apart as a result of alienation following high conflict family breakdown when children profess not to want to see their mother, and to mothers of adult children who are apart as a result of a family row.

Some mothers may have limited or infrequent contact with their children but others have no contact at all. Increasingly, MATCH are finding that MATCH Members are apart from children as well as grandchildren. MATCH members are at all stages of recovery but share two common bonds: knowing what it feels like to be apart from their children and a willingness to take responsibility for individual recovery. Support is offered in the following ways:

• Quarterly newsletter in which Members are encouraged to share their experiences and hard-won wisdom through contributing articles, personal histories, letters, poems, book reviews.
• Some informal local meetings where members can speak freely and share their experiences.
• Small email support groups (3-4).
• MATCH can suggest other sources of help as appropriate.
• Annual AGM where Members have an opportunity, perhaps for the first time, to speak to other mothers apart.

Contact MATCH at the above address enclosing a stamped addressed envelope or email via the website but please be aware that, because of post-forwarding, patience is needed while awaiting a reply.