Member Article

North East charity makes acquisition

North East charity The Cyrenians has acquired Families Talking as part of an ongoing expansion strategy, growing its turnover to £8m.

Families Talking provides mediation services and support to children, parents, step-parents and grandparents affected by relationship breakdown.

This latest move in taking over the Middlesbrough-based charity, will see the Cyrenians workforce reach 230.

Baroness Hilary Armstrong of Hilltop, Chair of The Cyrenians said: “At The Cyrenians we know from our extensive experience and research that a root-cause of people becoming excluded and vulnerable in our society is family breakdown.

“The work carried out by Families Talking complements our existing services. We are adding a very strong proactive service into our portfolio which successfully supports people of all ages - parents, children and grandparents - who are experiencing trauma and consequences of divorce or separation.”

The announcement followed a Trustees Meeting at which the acquisition was formally agreed. Stephen Bell, Chief Executives of The Cyrenians explained: “The acquisition of Families Talking is part of our ongoing expansion strategy – sadly our work is in great demand but we are proud that our innovative ways of working are so effective and recognised nationally as exemplar.

“This year we expect turnover to exceed £8m. We now directly employ over 230 people in the North East - putting us amongst the top 5% of employers in the region.

“Clearly we are looking to extend the reach of Families Talking across all the regions where The Cyrenians works and to ensure that the service thrives on a sustainable footing.”

Liz Allison, Chief Executive of Families Talking, said: “Our services help to create stronger communities - we promote putting the needs of children first in families which are experiencing separation or divorce.

“Fundamentally, it’s about good parenting, which doesn’t have to stop if separation occurs. We help families to make their own sensible decisions for the future.

“As a result of practical and emotional support from Families Talking, people are able to positively manage change and maintain healthy family relationships.

“Thereafter the likelihood of their children becoming disaffected, excluded or vulnerable is significantly reduced.”

Ron Lamb, on behalf of the outgoing Board of Families Talking, said: “We are delighted, through this merger with the Cyrenians, to have ensured that Families Talking now has significantly enhanced financial stability and a platform from which it can go on to make some real improvements and achieve further progress in its charitable aims.

“To ensure continuity of its work during this transitional period, a non statutory Advisory Board will be convened and members of the existing Board will be invited on to that Board.

“These are very positive times for Families Talking and its business which can look to the future with a great deal of optimism.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .