Civil Partnership Bill marked by Relate’s new gay workshop ‘Together’
17 February 2005
Relate, the UK's largest relationship charity, is offering a new workshop for gay and lesbian couples. Couples planning to register their partnerships next year, 2006, when the Civil Partnership Bill (2004) comes into effect, will develop skills that all committed relationships need such as constructive arguing, managing expectations and building stronger relationships.
For gay couples thinking of either moving in together or making a deeper commitment in their relationship, Relate's course will be held in London on 23 April 2005.
The UK's best known relationship charity has designed the workshop in recognition of the fact that many lesbian and gay couples will now have the right to register their commitment to one another. Relate has recognised that lesbian and gay couples may need tailored support similar to that offered to heterosexual couples.
Relate Head of Policy Cheryl Turner said:
'With many gay and lesbian couples considering Civil Partnership registration together with our long history of relationship expertise we've decided to run a workshop specifically for same sex couples who are focussing on strengthening their relationships. We hope Relate's fun focused, London based workshop, will help couples explore the nature of their personal commitment to each other and how they want to express it."
The research based interactive workshop will focus on communication and negotiation skills within a relationship - taking the best of what Relate knows about couple relationships. Relate already successfully counsels lesbian and gay couples across the country.
Due to popular demand Relate is also expanding its provision of commitment and relationship workshops for heterosexual couples, with new workshops running in Sheffield, Leeds and Cardiff.
In Britain, lesbian and gay couples will be given similar financial and legal rights to married couples under the 2004 Civil Partnerships Bill. The Bill will offer same sex couples in registered partnerships similar rights and responsibilities to married couples, in areas such as pensions, property, social security, housing, tenancies and employment.
NOTES:
- The Relate gay couple workshop on 23 April 2005 at the London Flemmings Hotel Mayfair Hotel. For booking information and course details click here or email lifeskills@relate.org.uk or 0800 093 5711
- Workshops cost £198 per couple and include lunch running from 10am-4pm
- The gay couples's workshop is being run by a male trainer and female trainer experienced in working with same sex couples and their relationships. Themes being explored include: intimacy, developing closeness, understanding couple conflict and constructive arguing, managing expectations and understanding the strengths or relationships and how to capitalise on them in the longer term.
- 90% (nine out of ten) say that coming to Relate helps them with their relationship problems
- Reasons people come to Relate: 37% to save a relationship with a partner, 29% to improve relationships with a partner, 9% to deal with a sexual problem, 4% to end their relationship with a partner, 4% to come to terms with changes in the family, 5% other.
To arrange an interview with our Head of Public Policy or with the workshop designer please contact Anna Turville, Relate Media & Press Officer 0207 387 3179.
