Relationship charity hits record

Relate, which has its county base in Cross Hill, said consultations covered primary and secondary schoolchildren as well as teenagers suffering family breakdowns and personal problems. It works with schools in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin and, to a limited extent, Herefordshire.

Counsellors operate at Stoke Heath Young Offenders Institution and with the Family Court Advisory and Support Service.

Experience shows friction at home can affect the performance of young people at school or at work.

Shropshire Relate chairman Roger Pemberton said: "Our work is vital in helping to prevent problems from overwhelming young people whose lives are being damaged at an early age."

Mr Pemberton said Relate also helps adults.

He said: "Unfortunately Relate locally receives no financial support from central government, so we have to rely on client payments, donations, charity shops and fundraising events."

The growth in counselling young people will be underlined at an open meeting of Relate at the Roy Fletcher Centre next Tuesday at 7pm.

The guest speaker will be Jamie Murdoch, national head of young people's services with Relate. There will also be presentations of the work undertaken by Relate in Shropshire through its young people's arm, known as Relateen.

Mr Pemberton, of Broseley, has just been appointed to head Relate, taking over as chairman from Hugh Scurfield, who held the position for three years.

Also stepping down is vice-chairman Terry Seston, of Shrewsbury, who has be- en associated with the progressive growth of Relate's operations in Shropshire for the past decade, including the opening of retail shops in the county, which contribute to Relate's finances.

Mr Seston also headed the committee tasked with the expansion of Relateen, which provides Relate's young people's services.

He is being succeeded by Ian Burgess, of Shrewsbury who will also chair the organisation's retail committee.

By Russell Roberts