Becoming a parent often puts a strain on relationships, regardless of what they were like before. This link provides practical advice and online videos.
Relationships
Healthy relationships with family, friends and colleagues is something we all want, but at home or work, supportive, fulfilling relationships don’t come automatically. If you’re becoming a parent or if you're having problems in your family or work life the information in this section maybe of help
Below we provide links to national websites containing information and advice including online videos on a number of topics.
Becoming a parent often puts a strain on relationships, regardless of what they were like before. This link provides practical advice and online videos.
Citizens advice offers comprehensive information in relation to rights at work and family relationships.
Unicef has a guide to returning to work after having a baby.
Family Lives is a charity helping parents to deal with the changes that are a constant part of family life. Their website provides a range of information, telephone support and online videos and resources.
The Childline website provides a range of information on many aspects of family relations, including if you are a young carer, divorce, step-families.
Mumsnet offers parents the opportunity to share practical advice and experiences with each other through their website and online forum. The link is specifically for parents with teenagers but their site covers a range of ages.
Citizens advice offers comprehensive information in relation to rights at work and family relationships.
Unicef has a guide to returning to work after having a baby.
Family Lives is a charity helping parents to deal with the changes that are a constant part of family life. Their website provides a range of information, telephone support and online videos and resources.
The Childline website provides a range of information on many aspects of family relations, including if you are a young carer, divorce, step-families.
Mumsnet offers parents the opportunity to share practical advice and experiences with each other through their website and online forum. The link is specifically for parents with teenagers but their site covers a range of ages.
Abuse includes domestic violence, rape and sexual assault. It can be subtle at first and difficult to spot. Find advice on how to tell if your relationship is healthy from Women’s Aid.
The NHS has information on services that can help if you've been sexually assaulted, raped or abused, even if you don't report the assault to the police. The NHS has information on services that can help if you’ve been sexually assaulted, raped or abused, even if you don’t report the assault to the police.
Sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) are located across the country and offer a range of services, including crisis care, medical and forensic examinations, emergency contraception and testing for STIs. To learn more about what happens at Sexual assault referral centres, please watch the video below.
In Hampshire, we have 10 refuges for people fleeing abuse offering 92 bed spaces for victims-survivors and their children.
If you are experiencing abuse and what to talk about it or if you what help to plan your escape from an abuser please contact Stop Domestic Abuse on their advice line on 03300 165 112.
The advice line is available to anyone seeking advice, help, support or access to services. This includes victims and survivors, family and friends of someone experiencing abuse, and professionals.
Hampshire Domestic Abuse Partnership brings together local services providing free support to victims and survivors of abuse, children living in a household with domestic abuse and people who use abusive behaviour. It also supports professionals seeking advice.
The Hampton Trust offers community-based, trauma-informed behaviour change programmes - such as Pathways to Change and CARA (Cautioning and Relationship Abuse) - for individuals who have used abusive behaviour. These aim to address the root causes of harm, promote accountability, and support the development of safe, respectful relationships.
If you need help for yourself or someone else, call the Hampshire Domestic Abuse Advice Line on 0330 165 112. Professionals can also call this number for information and advice.
If you are seeking help or advice for someone using abusive behaviours in their relationship, contact the Hampton Trust on 02380 009898.
For further information in relation to Domestic Abuse, the Hampshire Constabulary website also provides advice and information of how to report it.
Abuse includes domestic violence, rape and sexual assault. It can be subtle at first and difficult to spot. Find advice on how to tell if your relationship is healthy from Women’s Aid.
The NHS has information on services that can help if you've been sexually assaulted, raped or abused, even if you don't report the assault to the police. The NHS has information on services that can help if you’ve been sexually assaulted, raped or abused, even if you don’t report the assault to the police.
Sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) are located across the country and offer a range of services, including crisis care, medical and forensic examinations, emergency contraception and testing for STIs. To learn more about what happens at Sexual assault referral centres, please watch the video below.
In Hampshire, we have 10 refuges for people fleeing abuse offering 92 bed spaces for victims-survivors and their children.
If you are experiencing abuse and what to talk about it or if you what help to plan your escape from an abuser please contact Stop Domestic Abuse on their advice line on 03300 165 112.
The advice line is available to anyone seeking advice, help, support or access to services. This includes victims and survivors, family and friends of someone experiencing abuse, and professionals.
Hampshire Domestic Abuse Partnership brings together local services providing free support to victims and survivors of abuse, children living in a household with domestic abuse and people who use abusive behaviour. It also supports professionals seeking advice.
The Hampton Trust offers community-based, trauma-informed behaviour change programmes - such as Pathways to Change and CARA (Cautioning and Relationship Abuse) - for individuals who have used abusive behaviour. These aim to address the root causes of harm, promote accountability, and support the development of safe, respectful relationships.
If you need help for yourself or someone else, call the Hampshire Domestic Abuse Advice Line on 0330 165 112. Professionals can also call this number for information and advice.
If you are seeking help or advice for someone using abusive behaviours in their relationship, contact the Hampton Trust on 02380 009898.
For further information in relation to Domestic Abuse, the Hampshire Constabulary website also provides advice and information of how to report it.
The charity Relate have a free AI powered tool to help you handle problems you might be facing with your partner or co-parent. Share what you're going through and get answers, support, and advice to help you get through difficult situations.
Relate also have a section of toolkits to help you improve your relationships with the important people in your life. These are all priced between £5 and £10.
Ask Ammanda allows you to send your problems to Relate's Head of Clinical Practice, trained Relationship Counsellor and Sex Therapist, Ammanda Major and get an answer.
Relate also offer counselling for couples, families and individuals.
The charity Relate have a free AI powered tool to help you handle problems you might be facing with your partner or co-parent. Share what you're going through and get answers, support, and advice to help you get through difficult situations.
Relate also have a section of toolkits to help you improve your relationships with the important people in your life. These are all priced between £5 and £10.
Ask Ammanda allows you to send your problems to Relate's Head of Clinical Practice, trained Relationship Counsellor and Sex Therapist, Ammanda Major and get an answer.
Relate also offer counselling for couples, families and individuals.
Family Lives free online parenting courses are a great way to get advice and learn new skills in the comfort of your own home and at times to suit you. All of the courses are filled with helpful techniques and ideas developed by experienced parenting professionals to help you become a confident and happy parent. Crucially, you can do our course whenever and wherever suits you and work through it at our own pace.
You can also access parenting courses through Togetherness (previously the Solihull Approach) for free.
Family Lives free online parenting courses are a great way to get advice and learn new skills in the comfort of your own home and at times to suit you. All of the courses are filled with helpful techniques and ideas developed by experienced parenting professionals to help you become a confident and happy parent. Crucially, you can do our course whenever and wherever suits you and work through it at our own pace.
You can also access parenting courses through Togetherness (previously the Solihull Approach) for free.
What is counselling?
Find our about counselling services in Hampshire and how you can access them
Other free or low cost counselling services
You can self-refer to the Winchester Wellbeing Centre if you are aged 18 or over, have a GP in the Winchester area and are experiencing mental health problems like anxiety, low mood or low self-esteem or depression. Call them on 023 8017 9049
The Olive Branch Counselling, Winchester
The Olive Branch is a charity that provides affordable professional counselling to the people of Winchester and the surrounding areas. They provide long-term therapy as well as short-term counselling sessions. You can call them on 01962 842858.
Friends of the Family, Winchester
Free one-to-one counselling for parents who are currently engaging with Friends of the Family services. All counsellors are either fully qualified or third year students on placement.
Everyone over the age of 18 who is in crisis or struggling with their emotional wellbeing is welcome at The Oasis.
Drop-In – Visit any time between 18:30 – 21:30. No appointment is needed, just walk in and speak to one of our support workers.
Call Us – Prefer to speak over the phone? Book a call appointment by dialling
0800 772 0527.
Text Us – If texting feels easier, send us a message at
07879 376286, and we’ll arrange a Zoom or phone call to support you in a way that works best for you.
Life Changes Community Counselling, Southampton
Life Changes is an independent community counselling service which is available to all individuals over 18. The counselling provided offers the opportunity to reflect on life and understand the issues troubling you.
We have a network of around 100 local Mind centres across England and Wales which run free mental health services. Sometimes they help deliver NHS services too.
Use our local Mind finder tool to find your nearest Mind centre, then go to their website to see what they offer.
Anxiety UK offers talking therapies for anxiety. There is a fee but they offer reduced costs for people on a low income and for those who pay for a yearly membership for the service.
Cruse has a helpline is run by trained bereavement volunteers, who offer emotional support to anyone affected by grief.
Rape Crisis offer counselling to survivors of sexual abuse, and sometimes to their families. You can contact them 24/7 on 0808 500 2222.
Some charities also run free helplines and listening services. These aren't therapy, but can be helpful if you need to talk to someone between sessions.
Many charities also run peer support groups, which can be therapeutic.
Hub of Hope allows you to choose what you would like help with then see a list of helplines which are currently open and taking calls so you can see where you can get support.
Offer means tested counselling to help people on a lower income to access counselling. Relate fees explained
They also offer free counselling to people who work in or have worked in, specific employment sectors.
Free counselling for employees of the grocery industry.
Free counselling for licensed drinks trade people.
Free counselling for RAF personnel and veterans
Free counselling for current and former bank employees and their families.
Free counselling for members of the Chartered Accountant community.
Free counselling for children and young people of retail sector employees.
Free counselling for Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel, veterans and reservists.
Free counselling for fishing and merchant navy seafaring communities.
Free counselling for army personnel.
Free counselling for civil servants and their families.
Your workplace
If you're employed, your work might have an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). These should offer some free counselling sessions. You can usually access this without needing to go through your manager or HR.
Your college or university
If you're a student your university or college should have a free student counselling service. And you should be able to access it without going through your tutors.
If you are a child or young person who would like to access counselling find more information about youth counselling services in Hampshire and how you can access them.
What is counselling?
Find our about counselling services in Hampshire and how you can access them
Other free or low cost counselling services
You can self-refer to the Winchester Wellbeing Centre if you are aged 18 or over, have a GP in the Winchester area and are experiencing mental health problems like anxiety, low mood or low self-esteem or depression. Call them on 023 8017 9049
The Olive Branch Counselling, Winchester
The Olive Branch is a charity that provides affordable professional counselling to the people of Winchester and the surrounding areas. They provide long-term therapy as well as short-term counselling sessions. You can call them on 01962 842858.
Friends of the Family, Winchester
Free one-to-one counselling for parents who are currently engaging with Friends of the Family services. All counsellors are either fully qualified or third year students on placement.
Everyone over the age of 18 who is in crisis or struggling with their emotional wellbeing is welcome at The Oasis.
Drop-In – Visit any time between 18:30 – 21:30. No appointment is needed, just walk in and speak to one of our support workers.
Call Us – Prefer to speak over the phone? Book a call appointment by dialling
0800 772 0527.
Text Us – If texting feels easier, send us a message at
07879 376286, and we’ll arrange a Zoom or phone call to support you in a way that works best for you.
Life Changes Community Counselling, Southampton
Life Changes is an independent community counselling service which is available to all individuals over 18. The counselling provided offers the opportunity to reflect on life and understand the issues troubling you.
We have a network of around 100 local Mind centres across England and Wales which run free mental health services. Sometimes they help deliver NHS services too.
Use our local Mind finder tool to find your nearest Mind centre, then go to their website to see what they offer.
Anxiety UK offers talking therapies for anxiety. There is a fee but they offer reduced costs for people on a low income and for those who pay for a yearly membership for the service.
Cruse has a helpline is run by trained bereavement volunteers, who offer emotional support to anyone affected by grief.
Rape Crisis offer counselling to survivors of sexual abuse, and sometimes to their families. You can contact them 24/7 on 0808 500 2222.
Some charities also run free helplines and listening services. These aren't therapy, but can be helpful if you need to talk to someone between sessions.
Many charities also run peer support groups, which can be therapeutic.
Hub of Hope allows you to choose what you would like help with then see a list of helplines which are currently open and taking calls so you can see where you can get support.
Offer means tested counselling to help people on a lower income to access counselling. Relate fees explained
They also offer free counselling to people who work in or have worked in, specific employment sectors.
Free counselling for employees of the grocery industry.
Free counselling for licensed drinks trade people.
Free counselling for RAF personnel and veterans
Free counselling for current and former bank employees and their families.
Free counselling for members of the Chartered Accountant community.
Free counselling for children and young people of retail sector employees.
Free counselling for Royal Navy and Royal Marines personnel, veterans and reservists.
Free counselling for fishing and merchant navy seafaring communities.
Free counselling for army personnel.
Free counselling for civil servants and their families.
Your workplace
If you're employed, your work might have an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). These should offer some free counselling sessions. You can usually access this without needing to go through your manager or HR.
Your college or university
If you're a student your university or college should have a free student counselling service. And you should be able to access it without going through your tutors.
If you are a child or young person who would like to access counselling find more information about youth counselling services in Hampshire and how you can access them.
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Useful links
- Relate - relationship counselling
- Mental Health Foundation - Top Tips for Maintaining and Building Healthy Relationships
- Relate - 80 Relationship Tips
- Care For the Family - Handling Conflict Well
- Relate - Managing Stress as a New Parent
- BBC - Seven Ways to Reconnect With Your Partner After Having a Baby
- Every Mind Matters - Maintaining Healthy Relationships
- Working Families - Advice on working as a parent