Local councils team up to help families navigate relationship difficulties

The website, launched today (May 11), provides information, tips and advice for when disagreements and arguments between family members become difficult.

The new site, www.relationshipmatters.org.uk, will help people recognise when regular conflict may be having a negative impact on families, in particularly children. It aims to reduce this impact by helping families navigate common situations such as;

• Regular arguments and shouting
• Worries about separation/divorce
• Managing sulking, silent treatment and slamming doors
• Worries and anxiety getting in the way of managing everyday life
• Difficulty apologising and moving on after an argument
• Conflict via hurtful texts, emails, or social media

The new website provides tips and information to help families stay calm and work out what needs to happen, as well as signposting them to get further help where appropriate.

Councillor Fiona Venner, Leeds City Council’s executive board member for children and families, said:

“Disagreements between family members are completely normal, but evidence shows that regular conflict has a big impact on children. This is particularly significant as we all spend longer periods of time with our families due to self-isolation, lock down and social distancing measures. It’s fantastic that so many local authorities have worked together to make this important resource available to everyone and I hope the families who engage with it find it helpful.”

The Relationship Matters website focuses on relationships where things are ‘mostly respectful, equal, and cooperative but people are experiencing difficulties’.   Sometimes it can be challenging to separate parental conflict and domestic abuse.  If there are any concerns about controlling/coercive behaviour, violence or fear, families should seek advice from their local domestic violence services. In Leeds you can contact Leeds Domestic Violence Service on 0113 2460401.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Relationship Matters is a new partnership between 15 councils across Yorkshire and the Humber Region helping families who may be having relationship difficulties. The councils involved are: Leeds City Council,  Kirklees Council, 
Sheffield City Council, Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, North Yorkshire County Council, City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, North East Lincolnshire Council, Doncaster Council, Hull City Council, City of York Council, Calderdale Council, North Lincolnshire  Council, City of Wakefield Metropolitan District Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council 

For media enquiries please contact Becky Stubbs at Leeds City Council press office

Rebecca.stubbs@leeds.gov.uk