FamilyMatters provides a community based family therapy service. It is accessible for families who want safe and professional support for their relationship difficulties. All therapists have accredited training in Family Therapy; receive regular supervision and an annual appraisal. The work is demanding and requires attention to policies on Child Protection and Domestic abuse.

The service that we offer covers three distinct areas:

1. Community Clinics

We currently operate 5 clinics each week offering three one hour appointments so that 15 families can be accommodated per week. Four locations are used across the city within Children's Centres and GP surgeries. Typically a family attends for 6 appointments but no limit is set. Sessions involve family members forming trusting relationships with the therapists so that together they can explore difficult issues and find positive solutions to enable the family to get along better.

FamilyMatters prides itself on the ability to provide early intervention. We are able to see all families within 6 weeks of referral.

Referrals are received from Health Visitors, GPs, School Nurses, Surgery Counsellors and various other agencies such as Social Services, Educational Psychology, Child and Children and Family Court Advisory Services (CAFCAS), Connexions, Drug & Alcohol Services and Sure Start projects. Self referrals are also encouraged directly from families.

As of 1st April 2009, 449 families have completed Family Therapy treatment in the past 8 years generating an estimated 1,200 individuals receiving direct benefit and many more within the extended family and local community.

Family Matters Community Clinics Referral Form pdf file (opens in a new browser window)

2. Time4Change supporting relationships affected by drugs or alcohol

To further support access of vulnerable groups needing relationship work, we embarked on a joint project with Broadreach House in July 2006. Entitled 'Time4Change' this service offers support not only to those in recovery from a drug or alcohol problem but also to their friends and family – a group who traditionally are excluded and blamed. Time4Change operates within a Drug & Alcohol Day Service, volunteer support workers and referral to other services readily available.

Referrals are received from drug or alcohol workers, GPs, social services and day services.

Over 70 families have been seen in the first two years of this project with a variety of issues. High stress levels are common along with difficulties around trust, safety and stigma. Families find it hard to ask for help due to longstanding feelings of blame and shame. Consequently we make particular efforts to engage with a non-judging and supportive approach looking forwards to the family’s preferred solutions.

At times we meet families without the member who has the drug or alcohol problems, at times we meet couples or 2 and 3 generations. The service is run by two therapists working one day each week. We also offer the NICE and NTA approved Behavioural Couples Therapy and parenting programmes.

Despite new government policy focussing on the family there are few services that address the needs of the family as a unit.

Time4Change Referral Form pdf file (opens in a new browser window)

Download our Time4Change pdf file - 318Kb (opens in a new browser window)

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