LEE WADE - Key Persons

I'm a professionally and academically qualified Social Worker, Educator and Child Development Specialist from the UK. I currently resides in SA with the vision to impact the lives of children, families and communities with her skills expertise, skills and experience. I hold a Masters Degree in Social Work and a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Hons) in Education from the University of Central Lancashire, UK. During my time as a registered UK social worker I had the opportunity to work closely with many young parents, parents fighting through the court system for access or shared residence of their children. This gave me the insight form the paternal and maternal view point and coupled with my personal experience of being a single mother, I can only personally express the negative impact this has on a child. Born from these experiences, and though my curiosity as a social worker, I noticed the lack of advocacy regarding a holistic family, despite the parents separation or divorce, within the court system of South Africa. To work in tandem with the Children's Act and my knowledge, skills experience and expertise, I founded an initiative called Matio Mediation to support parents in their right to be at the foundation of their families, support to mothers and fathers through co-parenting, for the outcome and positive impact on the well being of their children. This initiative has been very well received and I have compiled a parents' training programme that meets the court outcomes as stated to me by an Advocate. Thus far I have successfully assisted a number of parents to have their relationship and parental rights and responsibilities exercised and they are now enjoying successful and meaningful relationships with their children.