I really never thought I would end up having to ask publicly for help like this but I have no idea what I can do at this point. The problem with abuse is that everyone shys away or enables the abuser. My children were meant to be returned home to me three days ago, and they still haven’t come home. I miss them desperately and feel completely worn down by what has become a repeated pattern of abuse during school holidays over the past three years. I know many parents suffer painful consequences after the breakdown of a relationship, and I never wanted my own situation to become something spoken about publicly. But right now I feel exhausted and out of options trying to resolve this peacefully. There are court orders in place, including orders allowing police involvement, but because my children are still very young, I am trying everything I can to avoid this becoming even more distressing and traumatic for them. I have reached out to Strand Contemporary Art Gallery in Hastings because someone connected to the situation is currently away with my former partner while my children have not been returned home. I also don’t know how much they fully understand about the seriousness of what is happening. For context, my boys are 3, 5 & 7 so Im unwilling for their father to be arrested infront of them especially given everything they have already witnessed. I am not trying to create hostility or shame anybody publicly. I am simply asking, compassionately and humanely, for help facilitating a safe, calm handover so my children can come home to their mum without further escalation. I know this is uncomfortable for everybody connected to it. I just want this cycle to stop and for the children to be returned peacefully and safely. I have been to court 17 times. I have court orders in place. I have had a non molestation in place when he tried to run me over outside of our children’s school with my children in place, I have been robbed of all of our possessions with the police in attendance and him climbing up a ladder into our home, I have trained myself as a McKenzie friend to act as a litigant in person but the support systems are just not in place to stop this level of abuse. If you can help or offer some advice, I’d be very grateful x

This museum is located by the coast, among fishing boats and apparel, a black box of sharp edges containing two levels of art spaces, a small patio, and a café. At the time of the visit they had two suitably nautical themed exhibitions, 'The sun feeds the wind' and 'Undersea'. The former is a set of huge pieces and an expansive map of the area in one wall that showcases the local knowledge of fishermen and their experiences, the latter is a collection of paintings, prints, and engravings from different cultures and their approach to the sea. It's a small and lovely place that is well engaged with by the community, with spaces for activities and workshops for children. If only there were more places like this around the country! Can't miss it if you are in Hastings.

Nice building, decent cafe/ restaurant with views overlooking the Fishing area (the Stade) The art exhibits are not quite my cup of tea, although I appreciate the thought and work that has gone into their creation. Good to see that local schools have been involved and have work on display.

One of our favourite places to mooch about in Hastings. There is always something interesting to see, and they always have such great children's events. The cafe is great too, with amazing views

My first visit to Hastings Contemporary! This is a wonderful gallery space that, design wise, has been well thought through. Windows and skylights are carefully positioned to let the natural light and the beauty of the buildings sea shore setting, come through. I enjoyed both the exhibitions I saw, particularly '100 Portraits" by Sir Quentin Blake, the Grand Old Man of British illustration. The facilities here are good. There is a nice cafe (upstairs) a gallery shop (in the entrance hall), clean washrooms for those who need them and, best of all, helpful and welcoming staff.