If
we are to turn back the tide of family breakdown by making relationship
education a normal part of everybody's life - just as ante-natal classes
have become normal - then we need your help!
Tell others
We need you to tell others. If you've been on a course, you're in the
small minority who have actually experienced relationship education.
Most people assume it's to do with counselling or for people with problems.
But you know that it's for everyone. It's about really practical skills
that work. This negative perception will only change when relationship
education becomes normal. You can play a vital part by encouraging your
friends to come along.
Tell your story
We often get media requests for couples who have been on one of our
courses. It's all very well us explaining how relationship education
works. But there's nothing to beat a real life couple saying how their
marriage or relationship has actually benefited.
Offer your skills
As a small charity, we have at least some expertise in most fields.
But your specialist skill might be just what we need right now. For
example, we have had help from media experts in gaining publicity. We
have had help from computer experts in setting up our office network
and installing programmes. We have had help from legal experts in setting
up our charitable status.
Become a mentor
Mentoring is something most ordinary married couples could do easily and
effectively. Mentoring couples who are getting married is a great place
to start. Sign up for our one day course CONNECT. Other opportunities
thereafter include mentoring ex-offenders and their girlfriends and couples
in crisis.
Teach a course
You don't need the brains of an archbishop to run a relationship or
parenting education course. As we expand our reach, there are more and
more opportunities to run courses. LLL and parenting courses are very
easy to run for the average small group leader. ADAPT is especially easy to run. Also, when you teach
it, it's a whole lot more likely you'll get to use it at home - for
the better!
Help run a course
Several of our courses are very much easier to run with an extra pairs
of hands or two. You can help us set up, welcome people, make tea and
coffee, and maybe coach some of the skills.
Help run projects
As we develop new projects, such as our work in prison or in health
clinics, we need people who can give a bit of time and energy to keep
things going on the ground. Depending on your ability, we may be able
to offer you a formal position with BCFT.
Raise funds
Selling the benefits of prevention is a harder story than showing a
starving child and asking for donations. Yet people do support us with
remarkable generosity and agree that what we do is really important.
An ounce of prevention saves a pound of cure - most likely a ton of
cure actually. If you can help us raise money, whether through local
events or because you have fundraising skills, we'd love to hear from
you.
Give donations
Last and not at all least, we need and value your generosity. BCFT was
government funded during our first year. Since March 2003, we have been
entirely funded by private donations. £10 per month covers what it costs us to put one couple
through any of our courses - whether pre-marriage, ante-natal, prison or parenting. You may be able to afford to pay for several
couples.
If you'd like to make a monthly or regular donation, please email us or call 0117 924 1480 and we can send you a Gift Aid and Standing Order Form.
