Partners News No 7 - April 2001
By Dave Percival
Marriage News Round-up
Concorde
A new initiative from the Salvation Army Marriage Guidance Services may result in a new event, Concorde, in NMW 2002. The aim is to promote marriage support services among people of influence in the field, such as registrars, local councillors, and politicians. Plans are at an early stage but some form of conference and exhibition area is envisaged, probably in Central London.
Marriage in Education
In the area of education, recently featured partner, Students Exploring Marriage, were granted charitable status earlier this year and continue to expand their work in schools. They are still looking for contacts in schools and couples willing to be interviewed by the students. Care for Education held the pre-launch of their new marriage education resource "The 'M' Word" in National Marriage Week, with a pre-launch offer on the video and teachers pack available until the 1st June at www.celebratingmarriage.com.
Marital Inventories
Prepare/Enrich were one of our early partners, offering us the chance to use an introductory questionnaire on the site which has proved very popular. Their inventories enable couples with the help of trained practitioners to identify the strengths and weaknesses in their relationship. Inventories for cohabiting, engaged, married, those with step families or in mid-life, offer insights and opportunities to explore their relationship.
FOCCUS is another psychometric inventory available in the UK from Community Marriage Policies. FOCCUS is an inventory designed to provide engaged and other pre-marital couples and those assisting them with a personalised profile or "needs analysis" of what is important in their marriage preparation or relationship evaluation process. It is both a starting place and a map of what issues and skills need time and attention. It gives couples content for reflection and discussion and allows those working with them to promote additional discussion or learning opportunities. It can also be used in enrichment.