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The Diocese recognises that whilst the church wishes to uphold marriage as the ideal, it also has a desire to care for those who experience separation and divorce, either at first hand or when it happens to a friend or loved one.
Recognising that this is a challenge, the Diocese has convened a group to explore the issues that this raises and the ways that we can effectively support those who experience relationship breakdown.
Building on work done by Coventry Diocese and others, we aim to produce resources that will support both teaching and pastoral care taking account of the practical, spiritual and emotional needs of those involved.
Useful websites providing information, courses and resources
National Family Mediation Services: http://www.nfm.org.uk/index.php?page=Home
This organisation provides guidance and information around family mediation, connecting you to services in your local area.
Relate:http://www.relate.org.uk/
Relate offers advice, relationship counselling, sex therapy, workshops, mediation, consultations and support face-to-face, by phone and through their website.
Divorce Aid: http://www.divorceaid.co.uk/index.html
An independent group of professionals who volunteer their time.Whatever your situation and wherever you are, they hope to provide divorce advice, support and information on any matter. They promote mediation and counselling as well as good, professional legal advice.They also promote collaborative law as a new approach to divorce.
Divorce.co.uk
A website offering help with mediation, legal and counselling services
Community Legal Advice:
http://www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk
A website giving legal advice.
Recommended Reading:
'Helping Children Cope with Divorce' by Rosemary Wells offers advice about practical and emotional problems - what the legal terms mean, coping with residence orders, giving a child room to talk and have a say in major decisions, the possibility of step-parents, and who to turn to for more help with any problem. This new edition also sets out how mediation services can help, and explains the role of the new Children Act Family Courts Advisory and Support Service.
An invaluable book for parents themselves, for grandparents, or anyone else who wants to help a child through a divorce."
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