Successful marriages don’t just happen, they require time and investment, they need care and attention. Sometimes we imagine that we only need help when things become challenging, but this simply isn’t true. Help and support is available to help improve and strengthen your marriage as well as when things get tough.
Marriage Foundation does not offer marriage preparation/enrichment courses or relationship counselling but there are many other organisations and individuals which offer practical advice at any stage of your relationship including during times of difficulty. Several of our partners can provide resources and courses to help strengthen and support you and your partner. Please go to our partner’s page for information and links to the excellent support they offer.
You can also read these letters from Harry Benson, our Research Director, which draw both on his personal life as well as his professional experience. Harry was founder and director of the charity Bristol Community Family Trust where he taught relationship courses. He is also the author and originator of Let’s Stick Together, a pioneering relationship book and programme.
Sometimes, circumstances can become particularly difficult and painful and it’s important not to ignore the issues that are affecting you and your marriage or relationship. We would therefore suggest that you seek alternative help. You might like to use the Counselling Directory which is a comprehensive online database that helps you find qualified counsellors and psychotherapists near you or consider contacting one of the following organisations:
Womens’ Aid / Refuge helpline
0808 2000 247
refuge.org.uk
womensaid.org.uk
Mankind
01823 334244
mankind.org.uk
Samaritans
Call: 116 123
samaritans.org
Relate
0300 003 0396
relate.org.uk
Mind
0300 123 3393
text:8643
mind.org.uk
Retrouvaille
0788 7296983
retrouvaille.org.uk
Family breakdown costs £50bn a year
When couples split up, families move from one to two households. Poverty is a common outcome that affects children. Six out of ten lone parents are supported by the state compared to one out of ten couple parents. That's where most of the £50bn is spent.
UK Among highest family breakdown in Europe
Five years ago, the UK had the highest rate of family breakdown in Europe. We're not doing as badly today, but only because of big falls in divorce rates. Alas there's no sign of a similar improvement among cohabitees
Lower Divorce Rates – Higher Lone Parents
Divorce rates have plummeted over the past 3 decades, but the number of lone parents has doubled in the same period. Why?... Because unmarried parents make up only one in five cohabiting parents but are responsible for one half of all family breakdown.
Stability is found in Marriage
Whereas stability is the norm if parents are married (75% stay together), it is the exception if they are not (30% stay together). As a result, among parents of teens who are still together as a couple, nine out of ten are married
Single Most Important Factor
The single most important factor in a child’s healthy development is the stable relationship of the parents. Our groundbreaking research shows that family breakdown is the #1 predictor of teenage mental health problems.
The Marriage Foundation is registered as a charity in England and Wales.
Registered charity number: 1150453
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