Relate Gloucestershire and Swindon calls for relationship and family support to be at the heart of the election

As the 8 June election approaches; four major charities have joined forces to encourage MPs and candidates to listen to what is really needed from local public services in order to support healthy couple, co-parent and family relationships.

Relate, OnePlusOne, Tavistock Relationships and Marriage Care have launched the Relationships Alliance 2017 Manifesto which contains seven key policy priorities which include investing in free or subsidised relationship support for those in crisis but who cannot afford it. But what does this mean for us locally?

Ellaine Cameron, CEO of Relate Gloucestershire and Swindon says that; “We do not receive any government funding which means we have to charge clients to access our vital relationship and family counselling services. Unfortunately, this means that only those in a comfortable financial situation might access help when their relationships are in crisis”.

“However the findings of the Government’s own research found that for every £1 spent on relationship counselling the economy saves approximately £11.40*. This is because poor or challenging relationships have been shown to affect a vast array of other problems in society including rising debt, homelessness, loneliness and poor mental or physical health.

"So, if local government put emphasis and investment into supporting relationships we are confident that Gloucestershire and Swindon constituencies would also see a vast improvement in the pressure on it’s public services”.

Which begs the question why don’t candidates seem to be focusing on these areas?

Relate Gloucestershire and Swindon claim the non-profit sector has been aware for a long time that even though research keeps highlighting the major benefits of relationship support, it isn’t always available to all.

This is why three recent local trusts – The Charles Irving Charitable Trust, The Langtree Trust and The Notgrove Trust donated money towards Relate Gloucestershire and Swindon’s new Breaking Point pilot project which works in partnership with Stroud Citizen’s Advice Bureau to offer a donation-based counselling system which reflects what people can afford.

Kimberley Wall, Relate Gloucestershire and Swindon’s Service Development Manager who created this project claims “It is great how many local funders, charities and organisations are pulling together to try and bridge the gap in accessing vital relationship and family counselling services for those who can’t afford it but isn’t it about time that local MPs also got involved in ensuring that everyone can benefit from strong healthy relationships?

"The Relationship Manifesto also focuses on increasing relationship support on the NHS during times of ill-health (number 7) because this impacts the whole family not just the person who is experiencing the illness”.

“This is particularly important when research indicates that good quality relationships may prevent, delay or minimise the deterioration of long term health conditions and promote recovery or adjustment however, if not supported, these very relationships can deteriorate under the pressure of ill-health itself”**.

This is why Zurich Cheltenham also recently agreed to fund Relate Gloucestershire and Swindon’s Best Medicine pilot project which once again offers counselling on a donation basis but this time to couples and families who are supporting someone who has or is experiencing physical or mental ill-health.

However, these are all trial projects and funding is limited so in order to ensure the future of these services; Relate Gloucestershire and Swindon are asking the public to ask their MP candidates how they will ensure relationships and families are supported in the near future.

For more information on Relate Gloucestershire and Swindon’s Breaking Point or Best Medicine pilot projects please visit their website http://www.relateglos.co.uk/ or call 01242 523215.

Relationships Alliance Manifesto 2017 policy priorities

1. A new comprehensive cross-government relationships strategy, with a cabinet Minister for Families and Relationships.
2. Training for frontline practitioners about relationships.
3. Relationships and Sex Education must be taught by trained, confident experts in charities and specialist teachers.
4. Develop a clear focus on out-of-court alternative dispute resolution.
5. Invest in a programme of universal information, self-help and preventative relationship support.
6. Fund provision of affordable (subsidised/free) relationship support for low-income and disadvantaged groups.
7. Expand the availability of couple therapy for depression within the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme.

To see the full version of The Relationships Alliance Manifesto 2017, including supporting evidence visit: https://www.relate.org.uk/policy-campaigns/policy-priorities/relationships-alliance-manifesto-2017.