Both Parents Matter

06/09/2026

🥾 GOOD LUCK, IAN! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Wishing our supporter Ian the very best as he prepares to set off on his West Highland Way Challenge!

Ian is taking on an incredible 96-mile (154 km) journey through some of Scotland’s most spectacular — and challenging — landscapes. With an average of 13.7 miles a day, with long days of walking across lochs, glens, hills and remote Highland terrain. 🏔️

👏 Please get behind Ian and show your support through his JustGiving page. Every donation, no matter how big or small, will make a real difference and help keep him going when the miles (and midges!) get tough! And there’s an extra incentive — Skipton Building Society will match the first £250 donated, doubling the impact of those donations.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/ians-west-highland-way-challenge

Good luck, Ian — we’re all behind you! 👏🥾🏔️

Help Ian Rigarlsford raise money to support Both Parents Matter

03/09/2026

📢 Please vote for us to be in with a chance of winning £1,000! It only take a minute, and the more nominations we get the better our chances - thank you!

02/09/2026

Both Parents Matter is proud to support a collective call for a stronger and more inclusive parental leave system as part of the UK Government’s Parental Leave Review.

We are joining organisations, academics and experts across the men’s, women's and family sectors in calling on the Government to commit to key changes including strengthening parental leave and pay for fathers and second parents.

31/08/2026

🎟️ Support Both Parents Matter & be in with a chance to win!

50% of every £1 ticket sold through our page goes directly to Both Parents Matter.

🏆 Win prizes of up to £25,000
💷 Tickets are just £1 per week
⏱️ Joining only takes a minute!

👉 Sign up today and support our work:
https://www.onelottery.co.uk/support/both-parents-matter

28/08/2026

🏫 Back to school - tips for separated parents

If your children don’t live with you full-time, the start of a new school year is a good opportunity to make sure you’re still fully involved in their education.

A few practical things you can do:

🔹 Contact the school — let them know you’re a parent and ask to be included in school communications, newsletters, notices and important updates. Make sure they have your contact details — including your email address and phone number, and check that these are recorded correctly.

🔹 Make a note of key dates - ask the school or look on their website - term dates, parents’ evenings, school trips, sports days, performances, assemblies and other important events.

🔹 Find out who to contact — know how to reach the class teacher, pastoral team, SENCO or relevant member of staff if you have questions or concerns.

🔹 Check online systems — if the school uses an app, parent portal or online learning platform, make sure you have your own access if available and appropriate.

🔹 If you have contact, talk to your child, ask how they’re feeling about the new school year, what they’re looking forward to and whether there’s anything they’re worried about.

🔹 Keep communication with your child's other parent child-focused — even when communication with your ex is difficult, sharing important school information and supporting your child’s education can make a real difference in helping your child thrive.

Being separated from your child’s other parent doesn’t mean being separated from your child’s school life. Small steps can help you stay informed, involved and connected throughout the year.

🩵 If you're finding this time of year difficult don't forget we are here for you.

Call our helpline on 0300 0300 363

➡️ Download our guide to supporting your child's education:
https://bothparentsmatter.org.uk/vf_fact-sheet-schools-and-parental-responsibility-pdf/

21/08/2026

📢 Call for contributors

Researchers from Liverpool John Moores University and Southwark Council are inviting men with lived experience of domestic abuse to take part in an anonymous survey exploring experiences of abuse, disclosure, support and barriers to seeking help.

If you’re eligible and would like to contribute your experience to this research, find out more and take part here:

👉 Survey: https://lnkd.in/e4tFubwB

Please share with anyone who may wish to contribute.

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

18/08/2026

The CMS campaign continues...

BBC Panorama helped bring the experiences of parents affected by the CMS into the national spotlight — but this is only the beginning.

Our latest survey showed the scale of the concerns - 79.1% of paying parents who had dealt with the CMS said it had negatively affected their mental wellbeing, while 70.2% said their payments were unfair.

We’re grateful to everyone who shared their experiences, completed our survey and helped us make the case for change.

But coverage is only valuable if it leads to action.

🎥 In this short video, our CEO - Sam Morfey - reflects on the coverage, the campaign so far, and why Both Parents Matter will continue fighting for a fairer, more transparent and accountable CMS.

Panorama: Child Maintenance - Parents Under Pressure is available here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002zlrs

17/08/2026

📺 A big day for everyone affected by the Child Maintenance Service.

Today, Sam Morfey, CEO of Both Parents Matter featured on both BBC Breakfast and BBC Panorama, putting the experiences of paying parents and the need for change to the Child Maintenance Service firmly in the national spotlight.

A huge thank you to everyone who took part in our recent 2026 survey. Your experiences helped us produce the evidence and statistics that strengthened our case and helped secure this important coverage.

Behind every statistic is a parent’s real experience — and we’re determined to keep making sure those voices are heard.

💙 Want to help us keep pushing for change? Please consider becoming a member of Both Parents Matter or making a donation. Every bit of support helps us continue campaigning, gathering evidence and representing separated parents.

👉 Become a member https://familiesneedfathers2.beaconforms.com/form/14ef95f9
👉 Make a donation: https://familiesneedfathers2.beaconforms.com/form/3dc0e0fc

You can watch Sam on the red sofa at BBC Breakfast until tomorrow morning:
📺https://www.bbc.co.uk/.../epi.../m0030dh3/breakfast-17082026
(7.31am or 1.31 into the programme)

And Panorama@ Child Maintenance - Parents Under is available here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002zlrs

17/08/2026

📺 ON NOW!

BBC Panorama: Child Maintenance – Parents Under Pressure is on BBC One now, featuring Sam Morfey, CEO of Both Parents Matter.

Tune in and hear the voice of paying parents.

Also available on Iplayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/live/bbcone

Watch BBC One live on BBC iPlayer.

17/08/2026

Tonight at 8pm on BBC One: Panorama — Child Maintenance: Parents Under Pressure.

Tonight’s Panorama looks at the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) and the impact of a system that is putting separated parents and their children under pressure.

Both Parents Matter will be there, representing the voices of separated parents who have been harmed by a failing system. Our CEO Sam Morfey will be calling for greater transparency, accountability and fairness — and for the CMS to properly recognise the circumstances and continuing role of both parents.

📺 BBC One | 8pm tonight