Relationship counsellors Relate struggle after States grant cut
A SERVICE which has been helping couples and individuals in Guernsey for more than 70 years is having financial difficulties after its States grant was cut.
Relate Guernsey is an adult relationship counselling service which also offers confidential and non-judgemental psychosexual therapy and adult individual counselling.
For many years the service received a grant of just over £21,000 from the States and, although it did not cover all expenditures, it contributed to a substantial amount of the work it does for islanders.
Relate chairwoman Tina Lister said the States decided to stop this grant in 2018 and it has caused difficulties for the service.
‘Recently, we have been very lucky to have been granted several small donations from The Deanery Fund, Guernsey Community Foundation and an anonymous donor, which has enabled us to keep our doors open and continue trading while looking for more substantial funding,’ she said.
‘Our new board is working towards a more self-sufficient model and once Relate is secured in the medium term this will be marketed and rolled out. In addition, we will continue to actively participate in various events throughout the year such as the annual Government House Fete.’
Ray Tubby, son of the local artist Roy Tubby, has also donated the use of his father’s prints for reprinting as pictures on canvas or as prints, which are currently available for purchase via the Relate Facebook page.
The growing number of sessions that have been given year-on-year – 467 sessions in 2017, 586 in 2018 and 711 in 2019 – the waiting list and the numerous referrals from private entities as well as States of Guernsey departments demonstrates how Relate provides a vital service.
‘While we have found that approximately a third of our referrals state they have been recommended to us by ‘‘a friend’’, it is generally the case that our clients prefer to keep their attendance at Relate to themselves,’ Mrs Lister said.
‘As a result, we find that we don’t receive as many donations and legacies from which other local charities often benefit. We hope to change this going forward.’
Relate has an ethical obligation to ensure that it always acts in a client’s best interests and will continue with its work as long as possible, but should it be forced to close its doors then the staff will ensure any clients finish their counselling sessions and that staff and clients are fully supported during the process.
