About
Relate is working to promote health, respect and justice in couple and family relationships. As the country’s largest provider of relationship support, every year we help 150,000 people of all ages at a national network of 77 Centres working at 600 locations as well as by phone, online and via SMS text. Our services include relationship counselling for individuals and couples; family counselling; counselling for children and young people; and sex therapy. We also provide friendly and informal workshops for people at important life stages.
Relate campaigns to see relationship support for children, adults and families at the heart of the social justice agenda. We are also the lead agency of the Kids in the Middle coalition, a group of national charities and agony aunts campaigning for better services for separating parents and their children.
Who we are
Relate is a national federated charity with over 70 years experience of supporting the nation’s relationships. Claire Tyler is Chief Executive Officer of Relate. She has worked for 20 years in influential government positions focused on improving the life chances of children and young people and tackling social exclusion.
Relate is governed by a Board of Trustees, all of them volunteers, who are deeply committed to realising our vision of a future in which good couple and family relationships form the heart of a thriving society.
Read our Annual Review to find out more about our range of services
Read the Relationshp Manifesto
Learn more our work in our video and report 'Relate: the difference we make'
Our Ambassadors
Relate has recruited high profile individuals who believe in our work and are committed to spreading the word of Relate.
Bel Mooney, writer and broadcaster
.jpg)
"Through writing my advice column in the Saturday Daily Mail (and before that, on the Times) I become increasingly aware of the enormous need for the services of Relate. Time and time again I suggest to readers that they get in touch with Relate - quite simply because the range offered is unsurpassed.
Nearly thirty years ago, as a very young journalist I wrote about what was then the National Marriage Guidance Council, and admired its work. That organisation grew and changed - and now Relate has spread its wings, offering wisdom and experience to help individuals, couples and whole families through their difficult times. I don't know what we would do without it."
Acclaimed novelist, Roopa Farooki
The critically acclaimed novelist of Bitter Sweets and Corner Shop, Roopa Farooki, has recently come on board as Relate's new Ambassador for Family Counselling. She said:
"I am delighted to take the role as Ambassador for Relate's Family Counselling Service; my husband and I found Relate's services invaluable at a difficult time in our relationship, and we have since had two wonderful children and celebrated fourteen years together."
We are also supported by celebrities who believe in our work with children and teenagers
Theo Walcott, Arsenal and England
"Young people can face lots of problems nowadays. Whether it's to do with parents splitting up, or bullying at school, it's good to know that they can talk confidentially to a Relate counsellor. I'd like to congratulate Relate on its 70th Anniversary: keep up the good work in helping children and young people to get over their relationship problems so they can feel happier at home, at school and with their friends."
Jacqueline Wilson, Children's Laureate
"I often write about troubled children and teenagers whose families are in conflict. It's so good to know that Relate offers such sensitive counselling for young people enduring similar situations."
Our History
Great social movements come from humble beginnings. Relate began life as the Marriage Guidance Council in 1938 through the pioneering work of Dr Herbert Gray who was committed to safeguarding the family as the basis of community life. Counselling was delivered from a small London office, opened in 1943, and over 8,000 clients were seen by a group of dedicated volunteers in the next five years.
In the 1950s, as family life began to recover after the traumas of the war years, the Marriage Guidance Council began to be recognised as a national institution providing dedicated and valuable work.
In 1988, we re-launched as Relate in recognition of our widened access to same sex couples, single people, children and young people and families. Today we have evolved into a modern, thriving organisation providing innovative responses to the needs of the communities we serve.
Our highly skilled work-force enable clients to feel better about their relationships; which has an impact on their ability to work or go to school, to maintain a stable home life and to get involved in their community. In housing, health, employment and emotional wellbeing, people who use Relate services see positive outcomes - Relate makes a difference at the heart of society.