When families go through separation or divorce, the emotional toll can be profound, especially for children. Family Mediation West of Scotland has been a cornerstone of support for families across Glasgow, Kilmarnock, and the wider West of Scotland for more than 30 years, providing a calm and caring environment where communication, understanding, and healing can begin.

Thanks to a £3,000 grant from The Merchants House of Glasgow, Family Mediation West of Scotland has been able to improve their child contact centre, upgrading toys, room furnishings, interactive games, and sensory resources to create more welcoming and engaging spaces for children and families.

These enhancements have made a tangible difference in the day-to-day experience of families who visit. The newly refreshed play area offer a warm, relaxed environment where children can feel comfortable reconnecting with a parent they may not have seen for some time. For many, these first meetings after separation can be difficult or even daunting. By providing a child-friendly setting filled with colourful toys, sensory play, and interactive games, the centre  helps create moments of fun and normalcy.

Richard, Director of Family Mediation West of Scotland, shared:

“Family Mediation West was delighted to be awarded £3,000 from The Merchants House of Glasgow. This allowed for an upgrade to toys, room furnishings, interactive games, and sensory toys. Our Child Contact Centre in Glasgow ensures that families have access to engaging activities to support the family reconciliation process. Thank you.”

The refreshed play space at the Child Contact Centre

Lots of toys available to keep children engaged

The charity operates from premises in Glasgow and Kilmarnock, serving families across Glasgow, North Lanarkshire, Inverclyde, Dunbartonshire, Ayrshire, and Renfrewshire. They are affiliated with Relationships Scotland, a national network of 22 local services providing vital support for individuals, couples, and families experiencing relationship difficulties.

At the heart of their work are Child Contact Centres- neutral, safe, and welcoming venues where children can spend time with a parent they no longer live with. For some families, supervised contact is necessary to ensure a structured and supportive setting, with trained supervisors observing and recording interactions to help courts and families navigate what can be a complex process.

Sensory and fidget toys to help ease anxiety

The Merchants House of Glasgow is proud to have played a part in helping to create environments where comfort, play, and understanding can flourish at the moments families need them most.

Would you like to know more about the impact of our charitable work? Explore our other Grants Stories