Centre history

The Nottingham Child Contract Centre was the original concept of Mary Lower, who conceived the idea whilst serving as a magistrate. She realised there was a need for some space in which the non-custodial parent could have access to their child, which was not associated with either parent or with officialdom.  The Nottingham Centre, which was the first in the country, started operating from St. Andrews with Castle Gate United Reformed Church's halls in 1985.

Following the success of the idea in Nottingham, a group called the National Association of Child Contact Centres (NACCC) has formed nationwide. To begin with, NACCC had their national office in one of the rooms on the lower ground floor of the halls but, with the growth of the organisation, they eventually moved to larger premises elsewhere.

The number of member centres throughout the country has now risen above 300. An annual conference has been held at the church, but has now grown so large that it is being held at the Clifton site of the Nottingham Trent University.

The Nottingham Child Contact Centre was awarded the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service 2015.