The following organisations have been selected to help you find more information and support. Please note that the list is by no means exhaustive and shouldn't be treated as such.
Relationship and family support and counselling contacts
On this page
- Support and counselling services
- Parenting
- Family mediation
- Caring for the sick, elderly and disabled
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Support and counselling services
British Association for Sexual and Relationship Therapy (BASRT)
A national charity that provides talking therapies to assess and treat sexual and/or relationships problems. The website has a list of recommended therapists.
- Tel: 020 8543 2707
- Website: www.basrt.org.uk
The Institute of Family Therapy
UK-based family therapy organisation that offers clinical services for families and couples facing relationship difficulties.
- Tel: 020 7391 9150
- Website: www.instituteoffamilytherapy.org.uk
Marriage Care
Offers a national helpline (local call rate) that provides a listening and information service for people facing difficulty in their marriages, families or close personal relationships. Volunteers are drawn mainly though not exclusively from the Catholic community.
- Helpline: 0845 660 6000
- Website: www.marriagecare.org.uk
An independent research organisation that uses its findings about relationships to develop services supporting couples and families in their communities. Provides information, but not counselling.
- Tel: 020 7553 9530
- Web: www.oneplusone.org.uk
Relate
UK-based relationship counselling organisation that offers advice, sex therapy, workshops, mediation, consultations and support face-to-face, by phone and via the website.
- Tel: 0300 100 1234
- Website: www.relate.org.uk
Scottish Marriage Care
A charity offering relationship counselling services to couples or individuals based in Scotland.
- Tel: 0141 222 2166
- Website: www.scottishmarriagecare.org
Minority groups
2as1
A national organisation that primarily represents the black community in Britain. Provides a unique information service that is the ideal first port of call for anyone needing marriage and relationship support.
- Tel: 0700 2222 700
- Website: www.2as1.net
London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard
A voluntary organisation providing a 24 hour information, support and referral service for lesbians and gay men from all backgrounds throughout the UK.
- Tel: 020 7837 7324
- Website: www.llgs.org.uk
Parenting
Parentline Plus
A national charity providing help and support to anyone caring for children - for families living together or apart.
- Tel: 0808 800 2222
- Website: www.parentlineplus.org.uk
BeGrand.net
A site for grandparents, offering expert advice, information and a place to talk to other grandparents about the issues that matter.
- Tel: 0845 434 6835
- Website: BeGrand.net
Family mediation
Advice Now
An independent, not-for-profit website providing up-to-date information on rights and legal issues in the UK with a section on family mediation.
- Website: www.advicenow.org.uk/familymediation
Citizens Advice
The main public information service of Citizens Advice, providing people with round-the-clock access to information on their rights. This includes benefits, housing and employment and debt, consumer and legal issues.
- Website: www.adviceguide.org.uk
Family Mediators Association
A charity that helps couples considering separation or divorce to reduce the conflict between them in order to reach their own agreed joint decisions. The website provides contact details of mediators throughout England and Wales.
- Tel: 0808 200 0033
- Website: www.thefma.co.uk
Married or not
A website providing information on the legal differences between married and unmarried couples.
- Website: www.marriedornot.org.uk
National Family Mediation
A network of local, not-for-profit services in England and Wales offering help to couples, married or unmarried, who are in the process of separation or divorce.
- Tel: 01392 271610
- Website: www.nfm.org.uk
Resolution
An organisation of family lawyers committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes. The website offers advice for couples and parents and contact details of solicitors, mediators and specialists who follow the organisation’s Code of Practice.
- Tel: 01689 820272
- Website: www.resolution.org.uk
Caring for the sick, elderly and disabled
General
Carers UK
A membership organisation of carers that provides information, advice and support to anyone looking after a sick, disabled or frail family member or friend at home. Carers is active in campaigning for change to improve carers’ lives.
The Carer
A UK resource providing information and practical advice on caring for someone close to you, whether it’s a spouse, child, relative or friend. The website covers all aspects of life as a carer, including financial, emotional and health matters.
The Princess Royal Trust for Carers
The largest provider of comprehensive carers support services in the UK, providing information, advice and support services through its network of independently managed centres and website. The trust also provides a website and services for young carers (see Young Carers below).
- Website: www.carers.org
Young Carers
The youth arm of the Princess Royal Trust for Carers Trust (see above) provides information, advice and support for young people who are caring for a family member or friend with a health problem.
- Tel: 020 7834 5858
- Website: www.youngcarers.net
Towards independent lives
Help the Aged
An international charity providing vehicles, home safety and legal advice to the elderly and which provides support to local groups with the aim of helping older people lead independent lives.
- Website: www.helptheaged.org.uk
Outsiders
A self-help group for people with physical and social disabilities that offers members the chance to contact others, gain confidence and make friends. The site provides resources, a club and a sex and disability helpline.
- Tel: 020 7354 8291
- Sex and Disability Helpline: 0707 499 3527
- Website: www.outsiders.org.uk/
Tourism for All (TFA)
A source of holiday and travel information for older people and people with disabilities that addresses their specific access needs so that they can fully participate in travel and leisure. The site offers links to accessible tourist destinations in the UK and overseas.
- Website: www.tourismforall.org.uk/
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