LONDON - 1 May 2008 - 410 words
Salvation Army encourages families to get in touch
'Start
looking for your family loved one today!' That's the message from
The Salvation Army's Family Tracing Service, which today publishes
its Review of 2007 to coincide with Missing Person's Awareness
Month (May) and the annual United Nations Day of the Family on
15 May.
In 2007 The Salvation Army Family Tracing Service concluded almost
3,000 cases representing a high success rate of 87% solved enquiries,
or 10 people reunited every working day. A team of 14 staff
handled 276 telephone calls daily, received over 24,000 written
enquiries and posted out a further 28,000 forms and letters.
The four-page review includes personal accounts which chart the
life-changing impact a reunion can have on individual lives. The
review illustrates the invaluable work of the Family Tracing Service,
which has been helping to find long-lost adult family members
since 1885. The review can be downloaded from The Salvation Army's
website www.salvationarmy.org.uk/familytracing
Major Michael Sebbage, Director of the Family Tracing Service,
said: "The Salvation Army believes everyone can benefit from
the sense of belonging which a family can provide, and we hope
the review will encourage people who have lost touch with loved
ones to begin a search."'
The stories featured in the review include brother and sister
Stuart and Suzanne from Stockton-on-Tees. They lost contact with
each other for four years after Stuart was hospitalised and then
moved to supported accommodation because of ill-health. Within
30 minutes of receiving a call from the Family Tracing Service,
Suzanne was on the phone speaking to Stuart. One week later she
arranged for Stuart to come and live with her. Stuart said: '"It's
made a big difference being with Suzanne. I was lost before, now
I feel I belong. I feel so much better."
The Salvation Army's Family Tracing Service searches for known
relatives over the age of 18 years who have lost contact with
each other. The service is only for the purpose of reconciliation
and requests a registration fee of £45 (£25 for those
whose only income is state benefits) towards the estimated £150
cost of each individual search.
To begin a search contact The Salvation Army Family Tracing Service
on tel: 0845 634 4747 (local rate) / 020 7367 4747, by email:
familytracing@salvationarmy.org.uk or by visiting the web address
www.salvationarmy.org.uk/familytracing
Major Sebbage said: "During Missing Person's Awareness Month
(May), we particularly encourage families who have lost touch
with a relative to contact The Family Tracing Service and start
the process of reuniting their family.
"We are proud of our 87% success rate in 2007 and feel privileged
to help bring together thousands of families each year. Whatever
the distance in time or in miles, there is always a chance for
reconciliation and to restore broken relationships. Even if our
search doesn't produce the desired ending, closure often brings
its own peace of mind."
© Independent Catholic News 2008
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