Scottish Marriage Care Celebrates 40 Years of Success

Scottish Marriage Care is celebrating 40 years of its relationship counselling service, during which thousands of adults and children have benefited from the professional expertise delivered by staff and volunteers. Set up in the 1960s, the organisation has grown into an independent charity working with people of all faiths and no faith, working with people who are married and those in committed relationships.

The Chief Executive, Mary Toner, explains that "One of our strengths is our commitment to delivering an impartial service which appeals to people of all ages and stages. As we are living longer, so too are the challenges placed on mature relationships and young people are increasingly prepared to seek help to keep a relationship. They have perhaps learnt from their parents what not to do but are looking for a way forward."  In the last year clients came from all age ranges including 3% who were 16-24 year olds and 5% were in the over 55 years of age range.

From research and its 40 years of practice SMC knows that:

• Many couples have had relationship difficulties for up to seven years before they seek help from counselling.
• Damaged relationships do not need to end in separation, divorce or acrimony. With the right help from relationship counselling services, couples can thrive individually, as can the children and wider family e.g grandparents.
• Couples may separate but the children will thrive if the relationship between adults is healthy.
• Counselling does help unhappy relationships by reducing stress and changing negative behaviours, at work and at home.

Glasgow Anniesland MSP, Bill Butler has laid a motion  before Parliament congratulating Scottish Marriage Care on their 40th anniversary and already it has gained substantial cross-party support. Mary Toner said "I am delighted at the support for this motion. It is pleasing that the Parliament recognises the hard work of our dedicated staff and volunteers. Relationships can improve after just three or four visits to an SMC counsellor so this is a value for money service."

Support for the motion coincides with a Parliamentary Reception to mark the charity's 40th anniversary, which fell late last year. Robert Brown, MSP, Deputy Minister for Education and Young People is hosting the reception for past and present volunteers. One person has actually been a volunteer since the organisation began in Scotland. Dr Margaret Addly, who is based in SMC's Edinburgh centre, said "I am delighted to have been involved with such a wonderful organisation for all these years, and to have helped improve the lives of so many couples and families."

Mary Toner goes on to point out that "access to relationship counselling needs to be better so SMC is looking forward to a healthy future where we deliver relationship services which are accessible and available when people most need them. The benefits to families, to children, to the wider community and employers too will be significant."

For further information, please contact:

Mary Toner, Chief Executive
Scottish Marriage Care, 72 Waterloo Street, Glasgow G2 7DA

Phone:0141-222 2166
Fax: 0141-222 2144
E-mail: Info@ScottishMarriageCare.org

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