Relate: Campaigning for Men

As part of a national awareness campaign targeting men, Relate, the leading relationship support organisation, in partnership with the Men’s Health Forum today launches a new report highlighting the barriers men face in getting help for their relationships. The report, Try to see it my way: Improving relationship support for men calls on policymakers across health, education and social care to make changes based on the specific relationship support needs of men. It calls for “male-friendly” methods of delivering relationship support and for GPs and employers to play their part in opening up services to men. These are needed to prevent relationship breakdown and prevent the risks attached to men and relationship breakdown. The report also recommends that personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE) should include good quality sex and relationships education and should be offered to all young people as a statutory requirement.  This will help young people to form strong and healthy relationships and provide good male role models.

One of the key findings is that men and women react differently to the important ‘life-events’ which include:

• Work-related problems – men work longer hours and their work-life balance tends to be poorer which can cause friction in the relationship
• Financial difficulties – men still tend to be the main bread-winner and so there is more pressure on them when loss of employment is threatened or becomes a reality
• Bereavement and illness – grief and bereavement from the loss of a parent can destabilise a relationship and men are less likely than women to recognise the need for professional help to talk about mental and emotional strain
• Alcohol & substance misuse – men are twice as likely to suffer from alcohol use disorder compared with women
• Childcare roles & responsibilities – men are more likely than women to identify the tension between the demands of work and the desire to get involved in childcare

To download a copy of the report click here
For help and advice and to find out more about our campaign visit: www.wheresyourhead.org/

Happy Valentines Day!

Relate, the UK’s leading relationship support charity is championing the importance of strong and healthy relationships. On Valentine’s day, Relate Birmingham suggests that couples do at least one thing for each other as a reminder to themselves that their own relationship is still important. Manager, Ruth Levesley said: “You can do something small, like making each other a morning cuppa, or running a nice hot bath for your partner. If you’re parents, you may not have chance to go out. But you can have a drink, cook a meal together or even just text your partner to let them know you still think of them.” If you feel your relationship needs TLC, follow this link bit.ly/YaoLoB for more information. Relate services extend beyond relationship counselling to family and young people’s counselling, sex therapy and workshops.

Training Placements

Do you want to specialise in Counselling Young People?  Join our team.

Our Time for You service offers counselling to children and young people who are experiencing emotional, social and behavioural issues due to family conflict, breakdown or changes at home.  We work at our premises, and also in children centres and schools.

Time for You will celebrate its 10^th anniversary next year and we are recruiting more counsellors to train with us to work with young people. 

Our training placement includes:

• 8 days of training from Youth Access (4 x 2 day blocks throughout January-March 2013)
• 120 hour placement counselling young people
• Individual and group clinical supervision
• 2 further CPD days on domestic violence awareness and safeguarding
• A full induction and access to in house training

Cost:

We have secured funding to offer a subsidised course fee of £250 

To Apply:

You will need a minimum of a counselling training at Diploma level or a Foundation Degree and experience of working with young people.

For an application form e-mail on info@relatebirmingham.co.uk or for more information contact Ruth Levesley on 0121 643 1638.

Closing date for applications:

12.00pm Friday 4 January 2013

Interviews:

Wwill take place on Thursday 10 January 2013.

Training Courses from Relate Birmingham in Autumn 2012

Looking for training? If you are a parent looking for tips on raising teens, an individual in need of confidence or assertiveness or a professional looking to improve your skills – please see the information below about our autumn 2012 training programme. The training is split into three sections: a) free courses for members of the public, b) 1-day workshops for professionals and c) 3-day courses for professionals

a) Relationships, Parenting and Life Skills Workshops

We have secured funding to provide the following workshops to residents of Birmingham, Solihull and Sandwell FREE of charge. They aim to teach you the practical skills you need to deal with what life throws at you. You may be going through a divorce or separation, having trouble adjusting to being a parent or perhaps you just want to be more assertive. Relate courses will give you the confidence to take charge of your life.

Workshops for Individuals

Taking Charge of Your Life – a confidence and assertiveness workshop

Start Date: Wednesday 19^th September, 6:30pm – 9:00pm – Relate Birmingham

Would you like to increase your confidence? Do you want to feel more assertive? This workshop will help you feel more confident, deal with conflict, combat stress and understand time management. This workshop will run over 5 weeks.

Moving Forward – After divorce and break-up

Start Date:Thursday 18^th October, 6:30pm – 9:00pm – Relate Birmingham

Recently divorced or separated? Take positive steps to re-build a life for yourself and make your future relationships a success. Explore your feelings and meet others in the same situation. Understand why your relationship went wrong, deal more positively with change and discover the new you. This workshop will run over 5 weeks.

Workshops for Parents

Riding The Storm – Living successfully with teenagers (and taking care of ourselves!)

Course Dates: Monday 1^st & 8^th October, 6:00pm – 9:00pm – Relate Birmingham

This is a two-part workshop for parents of teenagers wanting to build a positive relationship with their teenage child. As well as offering strategies, exercises and background knowledge, there is ample opportunity to discuss issues that arise for parents of teenagers and the chance to talk to others with similar experiences.

Parents Apart – Supporting children after separation

Course Dates: Wednesday 14^th & 21^st November, 6:00pm – 9:00pm – Relate Birmingham

Divorce or separation doesn’t just affect the adults in a relationship – it can affect the way children view relationships for life. Put conflict aside and think about the children. This two-part workshop will help you manage the practical and emotional aspects of being co-parents living apart.

A one-page course outline for each event is available on request.

Due to funding restrictions, places are limited to one workshop per person. For more information or to book a place please contact Relate Birmingham on 0121 643 1638 or email training@relatebirmingham.co.uk

b) Professional Development 1-Day Workshops

The Impact of Disclosure of Abuse

Friday 14^th September 10:00am – 4:00pm

This one-day course is designed to provide individuals with the skills to recognise and hear a disclosure of sexual abuse. Participants will challenge the myths society has about sexual abuse and understand its long-term effects. They will understand how negative messages received in childhood may impact on adult thinking, recognise that despite barriers people do disclose, as well as develop skills to hear a disclosure and identify strategies for support.

Working with Young People who Self-Harm

Tuesday 18^th September 10:00am – 4:00pm

It is intended that by the end of the workshop practitioners will have an understanding of why young people self-harm and how to approach the subject in a meaningful and useful manner. Practitioners will be encouraged to think about how they might assess the seriousness of the harm and offer alternatives for dealing with the issues young people face.

Children & Divorce / Separation

Wednesday 26^th September 10:00am – 1:00pm

Professionals who work closely with families going through this traumatic time will gain insight into the potential effects that divorce and separation can have on children and young people. Participants will be encouraged to explore ways in which parents can be encouraged to watch for the signs of impact on their children and furthermore to minimise any potential negative impacts.

The Risk of Suicide

Tuesday 20th November 10:00am – 4:00pm

This workshop is aimed at practitioners wanting to know more about how to deal with suicidal clients. It will look at the main thinking patterns and belief systems that usually surround the issue and offer some interventions that may prove useful with both adults and young people.

First Impressions

Friday 16^th November 9:30am – 4:30pm

This workshop is aimed at people who provide a first voice service in voluntary, statutory or professional organisations. It looks at the importance of telephone communication skills, building a rapport with the caller and developing skills to manage difficult calls. The workshop will enable participants to deal with callers in a professional, sensitive and efficient manner.

Working with Emotional Clients

Friday 23^rd November 9:30am – 4:30pm

Aimed at professionals, especially those new to dealing with emotional clients on a day-to-day basis, this workshop is for those who wish to manage one to one discussions in a professional, sensitive manner and remain in control of the situation. Participants will explore techniques which can improve effective and efficient communication with emotional clients.

A one-page course outline for each event is available on request.

Course fees – Full day workshop £70.00 (£35 per half day). This includes all course materials, handouts, certificate of attendance and a sandwich lunch (full day workshops only). For more information or to book a place please contact Relate Birmingham on 0121 643 1638 or e-mail training@relatebirmingham.co.uk

c) Professional Development 3-Day Workshops

A one-page course outline is available on request

Basic Counselling Skills

(Counselling Skills for Non Counsellors)

Tuesday 30th October, 13th & 27th November 10:00am – 4:00pm

This is a course for individuals wishing to acquire basic counselling skills for use at work, home or in the community. The course will enable individuals to learn about the skills and ethics involved in helping others: e.g. confidentiality, empathy, boundaries, active listening etc. Please note: This course does not prepare learners for professional counselling careers. This course is not suitable for individuals requiring individual attention, counselling, or a therapeutic group.

Supporting Families – Skills for Working in the Community

Tuesday 6^th, 13^th & 20^th November 10:00am – 4:00pm

This is a course for individuals working with families in the community in a helping capacity. The purpose is to equip people working with families with the support skills and self-awareness necessary to help them in their family context. This will include: communication skills, understanding confidentiality and boundaries of the role, problem solving methods, assertiveness skills, personal safety and helping people through loss and change.

A one-page course outline for each event is available on request.

Course fees: 3-day skills development/awareness raising workshop – £200.00. Fees include all course materials, handouts, certificate of attendance and a sandwich lunch. Please note there is a mandatory 80% attendance rate on these courses to achieve a pass.

For more information or to book a place please contact Relate Birmingham on 0121 643 1638 or e-mail training@relatebirmingham.co.uk