Split Happens: How AI can support young people through parental separation

This week Kate introduces Split Happens - a new digital platform created by amicable and Restored Lives to support young people aged 13-30 navigating parental separation.

Kate is joined by Anthony Syder, Divorce & Co-parenting Specialist at amicable, Shakira Paulas, Marketing Consultant at Restored Lives, and Helen Pittard, a family Relationship Specialist and one of the founder Trustees of Voices in the middle. They talk about how Split Happens uses AI to help young people process emotions, access support and build confidence during family separation and change.

Supporting young people through parental separation - a new approach

Kate and her guests begin by exploring the lack of accessible support and resources for young people with separated parents, and how Split Happens was created to thoughtfully fill that gap. They introduce Yuni - an AI companion built on carefully curated expert guidance and real peer experiences - and discuss why young people may find it helpful for starting important conversations, accessing support and reassurance and building the emotional skills that can support young people in their future relationships and beyond.

The team explores why young people may find it easier to open up to Yuni than to parents or counsellors, and how the platform bridges the gap to real-world conversations and support.

What we cover:

• The gap in support for young people with separated parents
• Why Split Happens and Yuni were created
• How parents can use the tool to open up conversations
• The role of modern technology in emotional support
• Long-term benefits for young people's wellbeing and future relationships

 

Trigger warning: this episode covers content that some listeners might find distressing, including poor mental health and suicide.

**Meet our experts **

Helen is a family Relationship Specialist working directly with families and their children, easing the separation process in order to reduce conflict. She is also a major advocate for the voice of the child and one of the founder Trustees of Voices in the Middle.

Anthony Syder is a Negotiation Specialist and the team lead for amicable's financial consent order drafting team. His areas of interest include the voice of the child in separation and diverse families. Anthony was previously an accredited family mediator and also sat on the board of the Family Mediators Association.

Shakira is the Social Media and Content Manager at Restored Lives, a charity supporting adults and children affected by divorce and separation. She works closely with the wider team to support course delivery, volunteer engagement, and participant outreach. 

Explore Split Happens

Whether you’re a young person navigating separation or a parent wanting to support them, Split Happens is here for you. Get the support you need at splithappens.co.uk, and follow @splithappensofficial on Instagram.

More divorce resources

Got a question on divorce, separation or co-parenting you’d like us to cover? Share your thoughts with us at hello@amicable.co.uk or through direct messages on Instagram.

You can also get in touch with amicable for more information on the legal, financial and parenting aspects of separation. Book a free 15-minute consultation with an amicable expert today. 

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