Relationships take time, attention and care. Yet for many Royal Navy and Royal Marines families, the demands of service life can put additional pressure on even the strongest relationships.
Deployments, relocations, long periods apart and disrupted communication can all take their toll. Over time, these unique challenges can leave couples feeling disconnected, frustrated or unsure of how to navigate the next stage of their relationship.
That’s where Marriage Care can help.
As part of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity’s Strengthening Families programme, Marriage Care offers free relationship support for serving personnel, veterans and their partners. Despite its name, the charity supports all couples and individuals, regardless of whether they are married.
Upcoming course dates
Courses are designed specifically to help naval couples/partners explore and strengthen their relationships while being in often complex and pressured naval life. The programme provides a safe, informal and supportive environment where you can learn practical tools to improve your relationship through communication, managing disagreements -and deepen understanding of one another. You do not have to come at the same time as your partner, you can come alone as it’s not always easy to manage diaries.
“We have hit the reset and are talking openly and more frequently rather than bottling things up. Plus, active listening to each other.”
– Anonymous participant
The next online course begins on 12 October at 7.30pm.
Session 1: 12th October
Session 2: 19 October
Session 3: 26 October
Session 4: 2 November
Session 5: 9 November
Session 6: 16 November
Delivered online, the programme consists of a series of group sessions that create opportunities for participants to learn alongside others facing similar challenges (You can have your camera off and don’t need to share your name). For couples who would benefit from more tailored support, Marriage Care can also offer individual sessions with a trained facilitator. Most sessions last approximately 1.5 hours, with one extended session lasting 1 hour and 50 minutes. Each session has a different theme. Ideally, you would attend all sessions, but you do not have to. Do get in touch for more information (see below).
Importantly, these sessions are not relationship counselling. Instead, they are designed to help couples build resilience, improve understanding and develop practical skills that support long-term relationship health. However, where deeper support is needed, Marriage Care can also provide access to counselling services.
The sessions encourage couples to invest time in their relationship, whatever stage it is in, providing dedicated space to reflect on their journey together and address any issues arising.
“The sessions were focused yet gentle, meaning that it was easy to engage. There were lots of opportunities for couple time and reflection, which was helpful to process together what we were being asked to consider.”
– Anonymous participant
Supporting naval families together
Marriage Care is a charity dedicated to supporting people in their relationships and family life through counselling, relationship education and marriage preparation services. Through its partnership with RNRMC, the organisation is helping to address the unique relationship pressures experienced by Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel and their families.
Following a successful pilot programme, Marriage Care is now expanding its support to reach more members of the naval community. The aim is simple: to strengthen relationships, improve wellbeing and provide families with the tools they need to thrive throughout the challenges of service life.
Find out more
If you’re a serving member or Veteran of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Fleet Auxiliary, or a partner looking to strengthen your relationship, this free programme offers practical support in a welcoming and understanding environment.
To find out more or register your interest, visit our Events Page or email RNRM@marriagecare.org.uk.
