What We Do
We support parents who are looking to make the best decisions for their family during separation and divorce.
We offer a live-chat facility to parents via the websites and an email exchange service via our contact page. Both are free to use. Our principal service (also free) to parents is delivered via our national network of legal and mediation experts – The Family Law Panel (see below). This gives parents a chance to discuss their options for moving forward with a professional by e-mail or telephone.
We commission and publish professionally written advice articles to support our client group on key issues around the law, mediation, housing, finance and general parenting.
We share evidence-based research in an accessible format. Dr Angharad Rudkin of Southhampton University provides the summaries.
What We Don’t Do
Discriminate – we help parents regardless of background, ethnic group, sexual orientation or family set-up.
The fathers’ rights thing or favour the mother’s rights over that of the father.
Align with any political party.
Take commission from any of the family law professionals we work with.
Provide full legal services free of charge.
Who We Are
Rebecca Giraud, Director
Rebecca joined OnlyMums in 2009 having returned from working on a range of social development projects with marginalized communities in Southern Africa, the South Pacific and subsequently in the UK. Having worked with vulnerable families for over 15 years, she recognised the need and value of giving parents access to accurate professional on-line support especially victims of domestic abuse. Rebecca lives on Dartmoor with her family.
@onlymums
rebecca@onlymums.org
Bob Greig, Director
Bob founded OnlyMums & OnlyDads in 2007 having recognised a lack of dependable on-line information and support for families going through divorce and separation. After graduating from King’s College, London and prior to founding OM/OD, he worked for 16 years as a senior property manager for the Church of England and King Sturge. Bob is often asked to talk to the media on issues around fatherhood and single parenting. He lives just outside Totnes with his two daughters.
Our Advisors
Our advisory group support us in integrating the work of our family law and mediation professionals with other key parent support organisations. They ensure we deliver a high quality service and one that reflects the demands of the parents and other professionals who use our organisation.
Norman Hartnell (Chairman) – The Family Law Company.
Melanie Carew – Cafcass.
Sian Hawkins – Women’s Aid.
Dalia Ben-Galim – Gingerbread.
Dr Angharad Rudkin – Southampton University.
Claire Easterman – Resolution.
Mary Shaw – David Gray Solicitors.
The OnlyMums & OnlyDads Family Law Panel
The Family Law Panel is a UK-wide network of leading family law mediators and solicitors. It offers the public a free initial information service and a range pricing options. You can access the panel here – it’s easy to use.
All members of the panel are signed-up to the Resolution Code of Practice that promotes a constructive approach to family issues.
The panel consists of specialists in Domestic Abuse, Children and Legal Aid.
The Westminster Dialogues
We hold the annual “Westminster Dialogues” (sponsored by Dr. Sarah Wollaston, MP) which raise issues of concern around family law with solicitors, mediators, politicians and those organisations that can effect change.
Previous Dialogues have covered domestic abuse (#WhataboutHenry), support for single fathers, and alternatives to court. Most recently we explored the benefits of introducing an early triage system into family courts with Sir James Munby, former President of the Family Division.
Our History
OnlyDads was established by Bob in 2008 as a web-based forum for men going through the family court system. The idea was that men could use the forum and support each other. However, men contacting the website weren’t using the forum and instead were largely seeking some legal support on their case.
By the end of the first year, and with more mums contacting OnlyDads than dads, it became clear that something different was needed. The bringing together of a “mums side” to the work was logical and it allowed us to set up an organisation that encouraged mums and dads to work together.
Rebecca became a director of the newly expanded OnlyMums & OnlyDads in 2009 and we began managing two websites under the structure of one organisation. This has now become the key focus of our work; that we are there for both parents.
OnlyMums & OnlyDads is a registered not-for-profit Community Interest Company (Company no. 8293558)
We hold the Government’s Help and Support for Separated Families (HSSF) mark, demonstrating that our services support parents to work together to resolve disputes and help them focus on the interest of their children.
Three Year Plan
To offer support to an additional 12,000 parents going through divorce/separation by:
- By providing up-to-date and relevant family law and mediation information online and through the wide distribution of our publication ‘101 Questions Answered About Separating With Children’.
- Developing the sharing of evidence based research to a wider audience.
- Continuing to promote the service offered by Family Law Panel.
- Continuing to expand our live chat and e-mail support facilities.
- Continuing to build on our relationships with key national organisations working with families.
How are we funded?
We do not receive any government grants or core funding but rely on:
Family Law Panel membership fees
Book Sales
Sponsorship
Donations
Grants
You can find out more about how to support our work here.