Derbyshire Friend, working in partnership with Relate Derby and Southern Derbyshire are delighted to announce that from January to March 2011, they are working together to provide any lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans person who works or lives in Derby the opportunity to access the Relate Family Counselling Service for free. This service can be provided at a safe and confidential space either at Derbyshire Friend or at the Relate office on Friar Gate. All Relate counsellors have had specialist training in LGB and T awareness and Family Counselling is appropriate for any group of people who consider themselves as a 'family'. It can also include relationships with extended family such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. You can find out more details about what exactly Family Counselling is at www.relatederby.org.uk

Bev Miller, Centre Director of Relate Derby and Southern Derbyshire commented, “We are delighted to be able to offer this service for three months for people referred by Derbyshire Friend. All our services are available for anyone experiencing relationship or family problems”.

Oonagh Mckay, Support Co-ordinator at Derbyshire Friend added “We are very pleased to be working in partnership with Relate. Bev and the team have been very proactive in offering all of their services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and are always keen to update their knowledge on particular issues that our communities face.”

So if you feel that you (or anyone you know or work with) might benefit from an opportunity to discuss issues such as problems in communication with any family members or perhaps disagreements with siblings on how to support aging parents or relating to your partner's children or any other similar issue, please contact Derbyshire Friend on info@gayderbyshire.org.uk. A member of staff will arrange an initial assessment appointment for you with a Relate counsellor.

Contact details for any of the Relate services: Relate Derby and Southern Derbyshire can be made by calling 01332 349177. Lines are open Monday to Thursday – 9.30am to 8pm, and Friday– 9.30am to 1pm.

 

Further details about this new free service can be found at www.gayderbyshire.org.uk; ring 01332 207704 or email info@gayderbyshire.org.uk.

 

 

Notes to Editors

·       Relate is working to promote health, respect and justice in couple and family relationships.

·       Relate’s services extend beyond couple counselling to family counselling, counselling for young people, telephone counselling, sex therapy and relationship skills workshops

·       Relate supports 150,000 people each year in over 600 locations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

·       Relate has a work-force of 2,000 people nationwide

·       For more information and advice visit: www.relatederby.org.uk

Relate’s service for parents can be accessed at: www.relateforparents.org.uk

 

• Derbyshire Friend is a specialist lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender support and advocacy service across Derbyshire. It is a user led organisation which supports individuals, their families and friends, groups and communities.
• Derbyshire Friend, in partnership with other specialist agencies, offers free confidential information advice and support to people who are LGB&T on issues including discrimination and harassment, hate crime reporting, same sex domestic abuse, employment and networking.
• For information about all of our services visit www.gayderbyshire.org.uk