Relate NI Celebrates 70 years of supporting people and families in Northern Ireland
Today the Chair of Relate NI, Claire Archbold and the Deputy Lord Mayor met at Belfast City Hall to mark seventy years of Relate’s counselling services in Northern Ireland. In September 1947, the same Lord Mayors Parlour was the venue for the launch of the local branch of the ‘The Marriage Guidance Council’. Evolving to become Relate NI in 1988, it has demonstrated itself to be an organisation which not only facilitates change for others but can itself develop to meet new demands in a challenging context.
Since its launch in 1947 it has supported people and families in times of change, stress and loss, whether caused by the aftermath of the Second World War, the Troubles, the property crash, job losses, ill health or a myriad of other circumstances.
The range of services Relate offers in 2017 are beyond what that group in 1947 could have imagined. Relate counsel’s individuals, couples and families across Northern Ireland with family and relationship difficulties. 100% of clients last year said Relate’s counselling had positively affected their lives. We have developed new services, new partnerships and a growth in choice to meet the changing needs of our society.
Claire Archbold, Chair of Relate NI said,
“I’m delighted to be here today to mark the 70 anniversary of Relate NI. For seventy years we have been supporting people in Belfast and across Northern Ireland to build healthy relationships that help them and their communities to thrive. We are proud to offer the same high quality service to all our clients regardless of their ability to pay and to be much more than just the marriage guidance people. As we pause to take stock of our beginnings, I would like to acknowledge the professionalism and dedication of all our counsellors and staff and the wealth of experience learned from our clients which have moulded the organisation we’ve become.
Deputy Lord Mayor, may I present you with this history of Relate (NI), “From GI Brides to the Modern Family” by Jonathan Bardon. It records the changes and challenges of our 70 years serving the people of Northern Ireland, and we look forward to doing so for another 70 years.”
Joan Broader, Interim Chief Executive Officer said,
“Like many organisations operating in Northern Ireland this has been a really challenging year trading in a difficult financial environment compounded by the current political uncertainty. Our longevity of service and store of resilience gives us confidence that while the demand continues and grows Relate NI will continue to offer our clients a safe and professional service”.
For further information please contact
Joan Broder, Relate NI CEO, Tel – 028323454 or email Joan@relateni.org
Note to editors:
- Relate’s vision is a future in which healthy relationships form the heart of a thriving society
- Relate Northern Ireland is a registered charity and is recognised as the leading relationship and family support organisation within N.Ireland providing confidential relationship counselling support to individuals, couples, young people and families
- Relate’s services are provided to over 2500 people annually , it has a presence in most major towns and is available 9-9pm Monday – Thursday, 9-5pm Friday and 9-2pm Saturday.
- Relate’s counsellors are accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP) and supervised by accredited clinical supervisors.
- Relate’s services are open to anyone seeking help:
- Married, co-habiting, separating, divorced and LGBT couples
- Individuals
- Family Groups
- Victims/perpetrators with regard to domestic abuse
- People interacting with health and social care and criminal justice systems
- Couples preparing for a committed relationship
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND ADVICE VISIT: www.relateni.org
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Our counsellor was excellent and really helped me and my husband to resolve the niggles in our relationshipService Attended Adult Relationship Counselling for Couples
My counsellor was lovely, attentive and supportive. She helped me to understand my worth and for that, I will always be gratefulService Attended Adult Relationship Counselling for Individuals
This service is invaluable. Such lovely people to meet and help you through difficult times.Service Attended Adult Relationship Counselling for Couples
The service was excellent, my counsellor was really good at getting us to open up and helping us to get to the root of our issues. We have definitely improved our communication since attending.Service Attended Adult Relationship Counselling for Couples
I found the Relationship MOT an excellent method of focusing on how we work as a couple and just as importantly, where we need to work. It was professional, insightful and well worth the time. It has reminded us of how much we have to be proud of in our relationship and why it is so important to occasionally review it with experts.Service Attended Relationship MOT
I would definitely recommend using the Relationship MOT service as a bit of a check in with your partner. I thought how the counsellor was able to steer the conversation was very insightful and nuanced. The MOT reminded us about why we are great together but also the importance of communication and respect.” “Our counsellor provided an outside perspective which immediately helped us to agree that we needed to stop and think with more kindness and empathy for each other especially when stressed or pissed off. We both felt that our counsellor’s excellent and gentle facilitation was quite invigorating. So many positives!Service Attended Relationship MOT 2
Very Interesting Content. I like the concept of preparing your relationship before you have problemsService Attended Sustaining Healthy Relationships – Surestart 4
The face to face programme has made me feel connected with others experiencing similar thingsService Attended Sustaining Healthy Relationships – Surestart 3
The workshops made me more confident to balance family life after the baby's arrivalService Attended Sustaining Healthy Relationships – Surestart 2
I now have a better understanding of myself, it is good to know that it is normal to have argumentsService Attended Sustaining Healthy Relationships – Surestart 1
I felt the weekly questionnaire, couples with the counsellor's understanding of my needs help contribute to my own understanding of my mental health and needs throughout.Service Attended Adult Relationship Counselling for Individuals
I loved every session. Our counsellor listened to what we had to say and gave us helpful wee homework - would recommend this service to everybodyService Attended Adult Relationship Counselling for Couples
Our counsellor was a fantastic support - we now feel strong enough to continue working on our relationship togetherService Attended Adult Relationship Counselling for Couples
I had a very good counsellor that helped me through a lot and it has made me come out the other side.Service Attended Adult Relationship Counselling for Individuals
Counselling took us from a bad place to a good one and I would return if neededService Attended Adult Relationship Counselling For Couples
Been a lifeline to help us fall in love again - forever grateful!Service Attended Adult Relationship Counselling For Couples
I would just like to say that when I first came for counselling I felt that I was drowning. I have completed my sessions and I now feel that I can cope a lot better with everything. Thank you for a brilliant service.Service Attended Adult Relationship Counselling For Individuals
Thank you Relate NI for a good nights sleep.Service Attended Relate NI Kids Counselling
Really enjoyed Relate NI and I'm actually going to miss counselling. I Found it helpful to find myself again. Very fair and equal within our relationship.Service Attended Adult Relationship Counselling For Couples
I appreciated the straightforward, helpful and informed observations about situations. It really helped me cope during Christmas which is a difficult time for usService Attended Family Counselling
The counsellor was very pleasant to meet with. They had the necessary skills to speak and listen when appropriate. I liked their humour and good personality.Service Attended Family Counselling
Relate NI has helped me move on as well as understand myself and situation more. My counsellor listened to me, facilitated me and was compassionate!Service Attended Relate NI Teen Counselling
I felt the weekly questionnaire, coupled with counsellor's understanding of my needs helped contribute to my own understanding of my mental health and needs throughoutService Attended Adult Relationship Counselling For Individuals
We had four funded sessions and cannot express how grateful we are for the help, guidance and knowledge. Our counsellor was incredibly professional, and her experience and obvious passion for helping couples like us was exceptional. She helped us to understand ourselves and each other like we otherwise never would have been able to.Service Attended Adult Relationship Counselling For Couples
I have tried counselling many times in the past. This time actually made a difference. I was able to complete online sessions as well as some face to face.Service Attended Adult Relationship Counselling For Individuals