A NEW website offering advice to people whose relationships have been strained due to the lockdown has been launched today.

Relationship Matters is a new partnership between Bradford Council and 14 other Local Authorities across Yorkshire and Humber Region getting together to support families who may be having relationship difficulties. A new website will offer families information, tips and advice. Whether couples are together or separated, disagreements are completely normal but evidence shows that regular conflict has a big impact on children.

With lockdown requiring families and couples to remain home together with minimal outside contact, tempers can often flare, and the site will over advice on how to navigate these situations.

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Relationship Matters will help people recognise warning signs such as: shouting all the time with each other about things like money and housework, sulking, silent treatment, and slamming doors and using hurtful texts, emails or Facebook against someone else.

The website can give everyone tips, information and help to stay calm, work out what needs to happen and signpost in order to get some help. For more information go to www.relationshipmattersorg.uk

If there are any concerns around controlling/ coercive behaviour, violence or fear families should seek advice from their local domestic violence services.

Bradford’s Survive and Thrive Partnership (Staying Put, Family Action and Women Centre) operate key domestic abuse and sexual violence services:

• Operate the One Front Door offering specialist support, information and on-going assistance. Call 0808 2800 999 between the hours of 9am until 5pm Monday to Friday

• Email referrals@stayingput.org.uk

• Outside of working hours - National 24-hour helpline: 0808 2000 247

If people are immediate danger they need to contact the police on 999.

Councillor Adrian Farley, Bradford Council’s spokesperson for children and families, said: “All families experience challenging moments and coronavirus has put an added strain on many relationships.

"Having support and guidance is so important and can help make sure that problems don’t escalate into abuse.

"It is a really important time to launch the new Relationship Matters website to provide families with the kind of support that can make a difference to their relationships. The website is the result of a real partnership approach across local authorities and I want to thank everyone who has been involved in its development.”