Time 4 Us is a play centre for families where one of the parents does not live in the family home. These parents are referred to as non-resident parents. Time 4 Us provides a safe neutral venue where non-resident parents can spend time with their children in a fun-filled relaxed environment. As well as play facilities, parents can prepare snacks for their children and help them with homework if they wish. To date more than 120 families have availed of this service with up to 30 families attending the service on a weekly basis. Typically a family will use the service for two to three hours each week.
I will summarise the objectives which are listed in the submission. The objectives of Time 4 Us are to provide the following: a non-intrusive, inexpensive facility where non-resident parents can spend time with their children; a child-friendly facility with activities and equipment to facilitate improved bonding with parents through the medium of play; a service for certain targeted families referred by the legal and health services; and an opportunity for referral to other agencies to meet the needs identified by the service users.
The need for Time 4 Us's service was identified through consultation in Galway with various professional health and social service groups, community groups and separated parents. A growing social problem was identified where non-resident parents who have limited access time with their children had no alternative but to meet them in shopping centres or fast food outlets. The 2006 census showed there were 7,600 one-parent families living in Galway, 85% of which were headed by the mother. National and international research has highlighted the importance for children of having a father figure involved in their lives.
Time 4 Us was set up to provide a cost-free venue with opening hours to suit the needs of parents and including evenings and weekends. It is in an easily accessible location in Galway city and caters for children from babies to 14 year olds. The venue is provided free of charge by the HSE.
The majority of parents using the centre are fathers with a small number of non-resident mothers also using the service. In addition, the service is used by families where children in foster care have an opportunity to meet up with one or both of their parents on access visits. Time 4 Us also provides a venue for children in care to meet their parents on supervised access visits organised by HSE social workers.
The families using the service come from a broad range of socio-economic backgrounds. It is open to all families in the community with a non-resident parent. Many families self-refer with others being referred by means of the legal and family support services.
Time 4 Us is a registered company limited by guarantee. The management structure comprises representatives from the HSE, the Department of Social and Family Affairs, Galway city and county child care committee and the business sector. Each of these partners provides funding for the service which employs a full-time project leader and four relief project workers who work on contract as required.
An evaluation of the Time 4 Us service was carried out by the child and family research centre at NUI Galway in 2008. The findings of the evaluation included the following outcomes: the service has a positive impact on relationships between the non-resident parents and their children; it led to improved bonding between the child and parent; there was less conflict, better trust and better communication between the non-resident and resident parents; and it led to increased access time for many parents. In many cases there had been weekend-only access initially and this was extended to visits during the week and after school. Children were found to be performing much better at school, as reported by teachers. There was an overall improvement in the children's behaviour. It also found that Time 4 Us has acted as a gateway to other services, such as family mediation and support services in the community.
Since the completion of the evaluation, a number of additional outcomes have been reported. There are now fewer cases going to court. Many families are now referred directly to the service by agreement facilitated by solicitors or the mother and father, without going through the court process. This reduces conflict and stress for the families and children and also has the effect of freeing up court time. It has led to family reunion for children in large families. In a number of cases, Time 4 Us has provided the opportunity for children from large families who are in separate foster homes to be reunited, in some cases for the first time since they went into care. This is the only venue in the region that can facilitate this type of access visit.
Time 4 Us is a unique service and is the first of its kind in the Republic of Ireland. It is the practical response to the changing needs of modern families. Non-resident parents have an opportunity to participate in family life activities such as helping with homework and preparing snacks. The service is open at times that meet the needs of children and parents, in the afternoons, evenings and weekends.