Relate Press Releases
SEP 09 / Department for Children, Schools and Families press release Balls announces extra £3.1 million to help families cope with recession
Ed Balls today announced £3 million - including £1million for Relate - so organisations can offer more services such as relationship and family counselling to those affected by the recession.
The announcement comes after Ministers visited some of the 3,000 Sure Start Children's Centres which are now helping families cope with the impact of the recession by providing services such as advice on training and seeking work.
The money will fund additional face-to-face relationship counselling sessions for couples and families as well as online debt counselling.
Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Ed Balls, said:
"That's why we are doing all we can to give real help now to families and support them through the downturn. And it's only right we also try and help families stay together wherever possible and help them through the separation process if that is what is best for them. Organisations like Relate, who already work closely with many Sure Start Children's Centres, are best placed to do this."
This includes:
- £1 million to fund Relate over the next two years to fund extra counselling and relationship support for couples and families who may have been affected by the recession - especially in areas hardest hits by the recession. Relate already work with many Sure Start Children's Centres and this funding will allow them to offer more services at a reduced rate where families cannot afford to pay. The money will help them provide face-to-face and telephone counselling for almost 40,000 extra people;
- £150,000 for Parentline Plus to increase promotion of their 24 hour helpline which is likely to lead to an increase of up to 2,000 calls a month;
- Extra funding to be shared between parenting organisations including NetMums, Dads Space, One Space, Oneplusone/Couple Connection and Contact a Family to provide online support like debt counselling; and
- Funding for the Kids in the Middle coalition of charities, including Gingerbread and the Fatherhood Institute, which was brought together to support children caught in the middle of separation by helping parents understand its impact on them. The coalition supported by national media Agony Aunts has already worked with the Department to produce a guide for separated parents. This new money will help them to develop workshop sessions in Sure Start Children's Centres for recently separated mothers and fathers and enable them to deliver these through the children centre network to professionals and in turn to parents.
Claire Tyler, Chief Executive, Relate, said:
"We are delighted the Government has committed this new funding. Tens of thousands of people affected by the recession will be able to access Relate family and relationship counselling at a reduced rate this year. This vital investment now will mean families experience less heartache in the future."
"Since the recession began the majority of Relate centres have seen an increase in demand for services - people want help for their relationships which are being put under strain by financial worries. Talking to a counsellor can prevent and ease family heartache or help make break-ups easier for all the family to handle, particularly the children. Every year Relate helps 150,000 clients with their relationship problems."
Jeremy Todd, Parentline Plus Chief Executive, said:
"Whilst we work with thousands of families each year, we know that there are many more who are struggling but don't know about the free support services we provide. Being a parent can be tough at the best of times, but when you are worried about losing your house or job, even the happiest home can become a stressful place. In a stressful situation, asking for help is a sign of strength."
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Contact: Mel Merritt
Telephone: 020 7554 2892
Email: mel.merritt@relate.org.uk