The Catholic Bishops’ Marriage service is offering a free and confidential ‘Relationships Support Phone Line’ to help those experiencing extra pressure due to social restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 lockdown.

Calls to Accord counsellors are 45 to 60 minutes in duration and work on identifying key problems such as causes of conflict, ‘Pressure cooker’ environments, effects on children, and particular weaknesses in already-vulnerable relationships.

The counsellors will offer tips to people such as keeping lines of communication open; productive ways of raising issues with your partner; and speaking from ones own feelings and difficulties rather than blaming and being critical of your loved one.

Insofar as issues such as bereavement or serious illness impact the couple relationship, callers can discuss these issues with a counsellor on the Support Line.  If the issue is about a specific personal bereavement or health issue, then referral to a specialist may be required.

Accord also provides resources on its website and on social media based on feedback from counsellors who have dealt with relationship and family difficulties experienced during these confined times.