​What about confidentiality?

Confidentiality is our highest priority in dealing with your situation and we ask the participants to treat it as seriously as we do – in fact we all sign a slip at the beginning of a new course agreeing to maintain confidentiality about each other.Confidentiality is our highest priority in dealing with your situation and we ask the participants to treat it as seriously as we do – in fact we all sign a slip at the beginning of a new course agreeing to maintain confidentiality about each other.

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What is the age range of people attending courses?

Age doesn't matter and we do not ask, but we estimate that generally those attending are between 30 and 65 years of age.  Our oldest member admitted to being about 75, and our youngest has been probably 27.

Is it only women who attend?  

Usually there are about half as many men as women. However, some courses there have been equal numbers of men and women.

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Are my children allowed to go?

  

This is for adults only, although children do benefit indirectly from the parent's attendance.  As parents come to terms with the issues surrounding the divorce, they are usually able to give more positive support to their children.

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May I bring a friend with me?

  

If your friend has gone through a relationship breakdown and you are each open to hearing about the issues you have both been through, then that is fine.  For this reason it would not be a good idea for a separated husband and wife to come on the same course, although they could come on different courses.

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Are these counselling groups?  

Our groups are facilitated self-help groups.  Our facilitators introduce the topics, offer some suggestions on how to deal with the issues raised and encourage the group to discuss them.  Much of the value comes from the mutual support and understanding that the participants share with each other.  We provide brief course notes for everyone to take away.  Our facilitators are trained and have been through, and recovered from, divorce or relationship breakdown themselves.

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Do I have to take part in all the discussions?  

You will not be pressurised to join in, but you will be gently encouraged in these informal sessions, as the more you join in, the more you will gain from the course.  Everything that is said and all the experiences shared will be helpful and in our experience, the support and friendship grows as the course progresses.

Can I join a course after it has started? 

 
We are happy for people to join the course in the second week, but not after that, as we find the bonding process is disrupted. The only exception might be if a facilitator is taken ill and a colleague steps in.

What about same-sex relationships? Are they treated differently?

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We are non-judgemental and offer unconditional help to those struggling after the break-up of a relationship and who want to understand their situation and grow personally from the experience.  This applies to all participants regardless of their lifestyle or beliefs.

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Is pressure put on course participants to become Christians, or to join Christian activities?

 

Our courses are open to everyone, regardless of their belief.  Our aim is to support people and help them throught their relationship breakdown.  The facilitators may talk briefly about spirituality and how their faith has helped them to cope, but as in all sessions we encourage participants to take only what information they feel is helpful and relevant to them and to share their thoughts if they wish.