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our annual reviews

image: young family at the Coventry Carnival

ombudsman and parents with young children

With the average cost of bringing up a child estimated at £186,000, becoming a parent can involve real financial challenges and difficulties. So it's important that parents know about their rights as consumers to use the free independent ombudsman service – in the event of a dispute with a bank, insurance company or finance firm.

our work with the media

Family Health – distributed to sports and fitness centres across the UK:
– getting your finances into shape
Family Life – the lifestyle magazine providing practical tips and information for parents in Scotland:
– keeping on top of Christmas
– hassle-free holidays
– know before you go
– keep covered
Jump! magazine
we continue our partnership with the parenting magazine Jump, distributed to over half a million households in the UK through Bounty (the packs of information and trial products for parents with a new baby)
Every Child Matters
the ombudsman features in Every Child Matters – the official publication of the National Association of Head Teachers – sent every year to all parents with children in key-stage one education
Camping and Caravanning / Caravan Talk
working in partnership with Camping and Caravanning magazine and leading website Caravan Talk, the ombudsman provides tips and advice for the estimated one million caravaners across the UK:
– money matters
– top tips on financial problems
– financial talk for caravanners
Moneywise/Moneywise TV
the ombudsman regularly contributes to family-finance magazine Moneywise – including a feature on the top ten complaints and how to resolve them and an interview on getting your financial dispute fixed
Money Saving Expert
the ombudsman service is regularly name-checked by consumer-champion, Martin Lewis – and featured on his Money Saving Expert website
moneysupermarket.com
interviews chief ombudsman, Natalie Ceeney, on how to make a financial complaint

out and about

Each year the ombudsman takes part in a range of family-focused activities across the UK – from multi-cultural melas and carnivals to careers days and community events. These include:

taking part in the Caravan & Motorhome show at Birmingham NEC – attracting younger families who are increasingly taking camping and caravanning holidays
meeting consumers as part of BBC Rip Off Britain's weekend event at Manchester's Trafford shopping mall
meeting families at the Belfast multi-cultural mela, the Coventry Caribbean festival and the Black History Month celebrations on London's South Bank
taking part in The Gadget Show Live (following coverage on the popular TV show – highlighting how the ombudsman can help with gadget insurance problems)

This is part of the ombudsman's commitment to outreach work with specific groups of consumers who use the ombudsman less and have lower levels of awareness of the service.