I, Brian Gerrish, sent the following short article to a wonderful organisation which supports mums who have been separated from their children. Whilst the text really says it all, I was keen to hear more from Jemma about how she found the mums and the day as a whole.
As a member of the UK Column team, Jemma is certainly aware of the serious issue of mums losing their children via the Family Courts, but to be together with a group of mothers who have suffered under the system was a unique experience for her. In this relaxed video, Jemma discusses the day with me, how she felt about it, and what she learned. It is clear that the mums made a deep and lasting impression on Jemma, both personally and professionally. I was very grateful for her presence and support on the day, as were the women.
Here is the article:
“Thank you so much” is the only right way to start a short written piece on my thoughts following the meeting of mums on Friday, 30 May 2025. It was a privilege for both Jemma and I to receive an invitation, and to be there with the team and all the wonderful mums who came along. I also know that for some mums, even coming to the event took considerable courage. Thank you all for having that courage.
As the only male guest, I would especially like to thank all the mums for their friendly approach and willingness to talk to me. Can I say very gently that “we men are not all bad?” Even so, my comment stands that I think a lot of men can learn from the gutsy attitude shown by the women who have had children taken. Not only do I think that, I also tell men whenever I can.
Over nearly 20 years, I have listened and worked with many mums who have lost children, but my interaction has always been on an individual basis. It was very special to be able to meet a group of mums and to experience the powerful emotions of very hard shared experiences. Against that pain, it was wonderful to see the support that the stronger women were able to give those who are still feeling in a bad place. That is called kindness and teamwork — something to treasure.
Perhaps most importantly, hearing the mums’ personal stories has made me even more determined to work towards fully exposing what is going on. I believe that without that full exposure, the thousands of affected mothers and families in the UK will not get the justice and resolution they deserve. UK Column will continue to work hard to help mums and dads tell the wider public how their children have been wrongfully taken. Exposure is a powerful weapon, and I am sure that done properly, parents can speak out without feeling fear of the system and without breaking the Family Court secrecy rules that control hearts, minds and free speech.
It is clear to me that your organisation and team are doing an excellent and vital job supporting mums and moving them from isolation to a much stronger, empowered position where mums do understand that good people are trying to help. I particularly felt for the women on Friday when they talked about feeling ashamed. I have not heard this from my mums before, and I can now understand that this is a very damaging personal feeling, from which it is very important to escape and move forward.
I will end by saying that you are all strong as mothers, and you are stronger by working together. It was also lovely to hear laughter amongst the tears. That laughter is a very empowering emotion, and there is nothing that upsets and undermines the ‘bad guys’ so much as seeing you animated and alive. At the end of the day, when you are happy and alive as a mother, that positive energy is also shared with your child, whether you are together or apart. That is a unique and powerful mother and child bond that cannot be broken.
Please do contact me via brian@ukcolumn.org if you would like to speak out. Each time we report the taking of children, more mums come forward, and more mums equals more strength to build the evidence to challenge the system. I will not let you down, and in confidence stays in confidence.
Thank you all again for sharing your day with Jemma and myself.