Page 21 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • January 1997
21
Gifts that last a whole year
Line & Country
Loving relationships are great when they are going well. But now
that 'the season of goodwill' is over, what can you and your partner do Western
to strengthen your relationship throughout 1997. Julia Cole, press MA!)
officer for national Relate, will be writing in The Link every month Dancing
about how couples can maintain feelings of closeness. A
with Swindon
This month, Julia writes about 'giving each other time' and 'appreci-
ating each other.' • Home Visits Anytime Stompers
Time shared praise will help you both Mondays at Oliver
Many couples find they give pri- fully understand how special you Pnpt Servic Tomkins School, Toothill
ority to everything else but them- are to each other.
selves. Build time together by de- Find time today to tell the peo- 7.30pm - 10pm. £2.50
ciding to give each other at least 20 ple you love how important they (E1.25 G. Card)
minutes a day without distractions. are to you.
Talk, share a cup of tea, or go for a Enquiries: Midnight Cowboys 764732
Also Wednesday class at
walk, and you will find your close- Next month, Julia will write about
ness improves. listening to each other and having Warneford School, Highworth
Arranging this type of meeting fun together.
point in a day can strengthen your If you think you need help with
partnership, allow you time to talk, your relationship, contact Relate
and help you tune in to your part- Thamesdown on 527664. Vre&seo[
ners thoughts and feelings.
Starting in January
Appreciation Surviving Separation is a 10 session t& Occacàm
When was the last time you told Divorce and Separation Recovery
your partner how much they mean programme based on the belief that + Handmade gowns and cocktail wear
to you? A busy family life can with information and guidance
squeeze out opportunities to share people can come to terms with this for sale or hire
praise or thanks. So let your part- crisis in their lives and turn it into a • Velvet evening capes
ner know how much you appreci- positive experience for the future. i
ate all they do for you and the For details of dates and venue, + All sizes including maternity
.)j
family. Criticisms can destroy your telephone Relate Thamesdown on
partners sense of self-esteem, but 527664. For an appointment, call Hilary on
(01666) 510306.
Wanted! Newly-weds O minutes from Swindon. Easy Parking.
... )
One of the world's most influential psychologists is looking for
200 newly-wed couples who are prepared to travel to Cardiff for
an interview about the early years of their marriage.
The alternative
Professor Frank Fincham of the little about how a relationship de-
University of Wales, Cardiff, is in- velops overtime. If we knew more
ternationally recognised for his about this, we could develop more Sunday lunch
research into personal relation- informed and more powerful pre-
ships. His latest government- vention programmes."
funded investigation focuses on Professor Fincham has con- in the heart of
the the relationship between ducted similar studies in the USA,
newly-weds: what makes them but in Britain, despite marriage West Swindon
happy? How do they stay happy? being as popular as ever, he is find-
What kind of problems creep into ing it difficult to make contact with
their relationship and why? How couples who are just about to 'tie Sunday is a day to relax.
does their expectation or percep- the knot', or have recently done so.
tion of their partner or their rela- Newly-weds who are willing to Visit us at the Chinese Experience
tionship change during the first take part in the research will have tnis weekend and enjoy a selection of
few years of marriage? an initial three hour interview at 6 to 7 mouth-watering dishes and finish
Through understanding early the University's School of Psychol- with a tasty dessert - only £10 per person.
marriage, the research will ulti- ogy, for which a fee will be paid.
mately help to improve marriage Thereafter, there will be follow-up CAN'T GET OUT FOR A MEAL?
counselling training. interviews once a year over the Telephone for a takeaway and we'll quickly
"At the intervention stage, mar- next three years, for which the cou- have it ready for collection.
riage guidance counsellors are ples will also receive a fee.
adept at helping couples to over- All interviews willbe conducted Great service, great food, great atmosphere
come the factors that lead to mari- in an informal but professional - an experience for everyone
tal distress, but we know little manner and all information given
about the positive factors that lead will be treated in strict confidence.
to marital happiness," said Profes- Couples who are willing to take 'CrIg3E
sor Fincham. "Our work is aimed part in the research, should either
at giving counsellors the means to be approaching their wedding or £XPERIEP4€
help couples build these positive be in the first six months of mar-
factors into their relationship. riage. They should contact the
"Pre-marital counselling, such Newly-Wed Couples Service Line Mead Way, Peatmoor, West Swindon
as is offered by the Catholic on (01222) 874932.
Church, is a means of preventing Unfortunately cohabitating cou- Tel: (01793) 877888
distress in a marriage, yet we know ples are not suitable for the project