Care for the Family has been supporting and encouraging families in the UK since We are committed to strengthening family life and helping those hurting because of family difficulties through our events, resources, training and volunteer networks.

The Need Current research trends suggest that in 2012 around 230,000 couples in the UK will marry. Of these, around 20,000 will divorce by 2017.

Our response To develop Marriage by Design! The vision of Marriage by Design is to equip engaged couples to build strong, healthy and stable marriages.

Will it make a difference? Research shows that couples who access just a few hours of well organised marriage preparation are 30% more likely to still be together after five years of marriage than couples who do not. (Stanley et al, 2006.)

Intended outcomes Couples learn about and use relationship skills. Couples develop the skills / knowledge to build a healthy marriage. Couples seek relationship support throughout their marriages. Couples view marriage preparation as part of their wedding arrangements. Greater provision of marriage preparation on offer to engaged couples by the statutory, voluntary and faith- based sectors.

Who is it for? Any couple getting married - from across a wide social spectrum, all faiths and backgrounds. For those couples marrying in religious and non- religious ceremonies; possibly already cohabiting, already with children or re-marrying.

The resource targets the 20’s and 30’s audience. Contemporary look and feel and a varied line up of presenters.

Content Values-driven, evidence-based and completely supported by underpinning research. Five key themes of Values and Expectations, Friendship, Communication, Conflict Resolution and Choosing to Commit.

Format 1)Marriage by Design days 2) Marriage by Design DVD pack

Marriage by Design days Led by trained facilitators who introduce each topic and guide couples through activities. Throughout the day there are opportunities for couples to talk privately together and share ideas.

Marriage by Design DVD pack Two accompanying handbooks. Couples can watch and work through it in their own time, in their own homes and without supervision. Ideal for couples who cannot (or will not) attend a course.

Some comments from couples about Marriage by Design: “It will be useful for the rest of our lives together” “It gave us the chance to speak about things we wouldn’t normally feel comfortable with.” “It made me think more about my partner’s feelings and needs” “We have kids and have lived together for six years but by 11 o’clock I had learned more about my partner than I had in all our years of being together!”

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