BONALLACK & BISHOP - SOLICITORS IN SALISBURY - PRESS RELEASE
14th MAY 2009
Q: WHAT DO AGONY AUNTS AND SOLICITORS HAVE IN COMMON?
A: They both help people in distress
Relationship Coaches, Nigel and Jenny Heath of Salisbury-based relationship coaches the Relationship People, have conducted a year long pilot study into new ways of encouraging people to accept emotional support at times of personal crisis.
Recognising that people often turn to solicitors for advice when they face a crisis, they asked local Salisbury divorce solicitors, Bonallack and Bishop, if they would be prepared to help with the project. Head of Family Department Colin Carnegy was enthusiastic, saying, “We already hold a free weekly legal surgery, so creating the opportunity for people to find out about counselling services at the same time seemed to make sense. Subsequently he reported that clients he had referred to the Relationship People had been highly appreciative of their assistance.”
Since April 2008 more than 30 people have had a 20 minute consultation with the Relationship People, who specialise in relationship issues. A number have expressed surprise about the service, while all of them have welcomed the chance to get things off their chest. One couple commented, “The legal advice confirmed what we thought – that we have no rights. The chat afterwards has really helped to cope with that.”
For many the brief chat is enough. A small number have booked follow-up appointments. Nigel explains, “When people come to see us we identify the behaviour patterns that keep them stuck in their predicament. As they become clearer about what they want in life, they are able to create more options for the way forward and to develop strategies that help them cope.” For example, one person who is receiving support through her divorce, is being coached to manage her emotions during face-to-face contact with her ex-husband.
Jenny Heath sums up what they have learnt from the pilot. “There is still a strong tendency for people to think that asking for help means they have failed – that they cannot even succeed at something as fundamental as building a good relationship with another person. We will carry on looking for new ways to promote the benefits of relationship support because we have seen first-hand what happens when people are helped to resolve their differences.”
If you are going through a divorce, you may be interested in collaborative law and family mediation both of which can play a significant part in removing much of the stress from the divorce process.
For more information on the Relationship People and their partnership with Andover and Salisbury Law Firm Bonallack & Bishop, please contact Jenny or Nigel on via email or on 0800 298 5938.
