Relate sees rise in complex cases following lockdown
SELF-ESTEEM was the focus of this year’s Relationship Week organised by Relate, which took the theme of ‘love yourself’.
Centre manager Natalie Cross said that self-esteem could really impact on a person’s relationship and how someone felt about themselves could affect how they related to the world.
The week coincides with the launch of the local group’s new website which includes more detailed information about its services, including videos.
There are also testimonials and stories from clients and a shop where people can buy prints of paintings by local artist Roy Tubby, with the proceeds going to the charity, and was created and is managed by the team at EnjoyCI, part of CheckOut CI, which has donated time and resources to the charity.
Ms Cross said that the charity did not only support couples, but individuals too and as well as dealing with relationships, it had the only psycho-sexual therapist in the island.
As with other charitable organisations, it was looking for volunteers and she said two new counsellors were undergoing training, which would bring the total up to five.
Even during two lockdowns, the charity continued to offer advice to clients via an online service, and some have continued to receive counselling in this way.
Guernsey’s branch was the only one that remained open during the lockdowns. While there was a reduction in cases during lockdown, since reopening there had been a small increase, although the nature of them changed. ‘We’ve seen an increase in people reaching out to us for support but a higher number of more complex cases,’ she said.
But far from the two lockdowns causing all couples to have problems, they have had a dual effect, said psycho-sexual therapist Wendy Corbin.
‘Some people said it made them realise how they weren’t getting on, but others have said it was wonderful and family life was great and they wanted to re-create it.’
For its clients, the more they are able to work with the counsellor the more they tend to get out of the service, said counsellor Becky Diaconu.
‘Most people work very hard and when they work hard they really get the results,’ she said.
Relate chairwoman Tina Lister said that with the new website and new staff it was looking forward to the future.
‘We have been going through some tough financial times but we appear to be turning the corner,’ she said.
n The new website is at www.relate.org.gg
