Family Rights Group

10/06/2026

More support for Lifelong Links in Parliament - thank you Melanie Onn.

10/06/2026

Lifelong Links is an innovative approach, developed by Family Rights Group, which builds lasting and loving relationships. It aims to ensure that a child in care has a positive support network they can rely on during their time in care and into adulthood. 💜

So we were delighted to hear Josh MacAlister MP, the Children’s Minister, highlight the benefits of Lifelong Links last week, as part of an announcement of £8.4 million to help children in care build enduring relationships.

Too often, the care system breaks the very relationships children depend on. Young people are moved far from family and friends, left isolated and alone.

That's why we created Lifelong Links - designed with young people, for young people.

Watch, as the Minister talks about meeting young people who have benefited from Lifelong Links with Hertfordshire County Council, and how this type of approach should be a core part of the system. 📽️

09/06/2026

Here is the Family Rights Group team taking part in last year's London Legal Walk. Today we are taking part again, although the weather isn't quite as nice! 👟🌦️

The London Legal Walk is an annual fundraising event organised by London Legal Support Trust in support of legal advice centres across London and charities who offer free or pro bono legal advice.

The need for free legal help is greater than ever. Demand for Family Rights Group’s advice service is high, but due to funding constraints we can currently only answer four in ten callers.

Can you sponsor Family Rights Group's team of staff, trustees, friends and supporters, walking for justice?

Any donation of any size makes a difference. It helps us to provide more access to legal advice and support to families involved in the child welfare and family justice system.
https://londonlegalsupporttrust.enthuse.com/pf/family-rights-group-2026

Many thanks!

08/06/2026

Listen as Sharon, a member of our kinship carers' panel, shares her perspective as a kinship carer supporting both her grandchildren and her daughter through periods of complex mental ill-health.

While her journey included challenges and a formal complaint, Sharon also reflects on the difference one dedicated social worker made.

For several years, Marjorie’s consistent support, fairness, and genuine listening helped Sharon’s family feel heard, understood, and advocated for, both within and beyond the local authority.

Sharon describes Marjorie as an example of the kind of child-focused practice every family deserves during difficult and heartbreaking situations.

Find out more about working with children's services: https://frg.org.uk/get-help-and-advice/what/childrens-services/

05/06/2026

Yesterday the Government announced £8.4 million to help children in care and care leavers stay connected to people who love them. Our Lifelong Links approach is central to that mission. Today we want to give you an example of what that looks like.

19 year old AJ from Coventry was in the care system from the age of two. During that time, he lived with foster carers, in a children’s home, and later in semi-independent living.

Too often the care system breaks important relationships for young people, and AJ hadn’t seen his grandad since he was a toddler. Lifelong Links helps to build relationships and connect children in care, or care leavers, with people who care about them.

Hear how AJ’s Lifelong Links Coordinator Danny helped to bring about a big reunion for AJ.📽️

04/06/2026

Big news today!

The Government has announced £8.4 million to help children in care stay connected to the people who love them — and our Lifelong Links approach is central to that mission.

We know how much it hurts when the care system breaks the very relationships children depend on.

We created Lifelong Links to change that — designed with young people, for young people. More than 5,000 children and young people across the UK have already been supported to reconnect with family and friends who care about them.

And it works. Independent evidence shows Lifelong Links helps young people feel less alone, improves their mental health, and brings more stability to their lives.

Cathy Ashley, our Chief Executive, said:
"We are delighted at the Government's commitment to put relationships at the heart of the care system. Lifelong Links has supported thousands of young people to be connected to those who know and love them. Now we want to see it become a national offer, so no young person is left isolated."

This is just the beginning. We're campaigning to Build Not Break relationships for every child in care and every care leaver across the UK.

Find out more at the link below.

03/06/2026

‘However much I help those I volunteer to assist, I’ve realised that I have benefited even more.’ 💜

In this new uplifting blog for Volunteers Week, our kinship carers’ panel member, Adelaide Lyons reflects on what she has gained from giving her time and support.

After stopping work due to ill health, Adelaide felt that her days of making a difference to anyone’s life were over. But after taking on the care of her great nephew she realised she had more to offer, and began a volunteering journey, including with Age UK, that brought connection, confidence and a feeling of being seen.

Read Adelaide's blog: https://frg.org.uk/news-blogs-and-vlogs/blogs/i-knew-what-i-could-offer-as-a-volunteer-but-never-realised-what-id-get/

02/06/2026

How are people with experience of the child welfare system making a real difference for other families?

Watch as Kristy, a member of our parents panel, shares what being a member of our parents’ panel means to her. She explains how panel members work with researchers and government to shape policies and challenge systems, to make a real difference for future families.

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/Ri31-846vBk?si=8fJW_A0ws2fU6NpT

In this short video, Kristy shares how participation transforms painful experiences into powerful advocacy. As a parents’ panel member, she uses her lived ex...

01/06/2026

We are proud to share an important milestone for Family Rights Group.

After nearly 20 years of incredible dedication, including her time as Chair of our Board, Angela Frazer-Wicks MBE is stepping down from her role and becoming our first ever Ambassador.

Angela has played a vital part in championing our work for children and families, representing us across the UK and internationally, and helping to shape our vision for a future where children can thrive within their families, surrounded by love and lasting relationships.

While we say thank you to Angela as she steps down as Chair, we are delighted that her journey with Family Rights Group continues in this new role.

In other exciting news we are also announcing the appointment of Sir Andrew McFarlane as a new Patron following his retirement as President of the Family Division of the High Court of England and Wales.

We feel very fortunate to have the combined the judicial experience of Sir Andrew, with the lived experience of Angela to support our ongoing strategy to reform the child welfare and family justice systems.

Find out more about the new appointments: https://frg.org.uk/news-blogs-and-vlogs/news/former-president-of-the-family-division-sir-andrew-macfarlane-appointed-patron-of-family-rights-group/

29/05/2026

Family Rights Group is taking part in this year’s London Legal Walk on Tuesday 9th June.

A team of staff, trustees, friends and supporters will hit London's pavements to raise money for justice. If you are able to make a donation of any size we would be very grateful - all funds support our vital advice service for families involved in the child welfare and family justice system.

You can donate here: https://londonlegalsupporttrust.enthuse.com/pf/family-rights-group-2026

Thank you! 👣