 REACT - one year on
For a little over a year now family support charity Scottish Marriage Care has been helping the young people and young parents of Greater Easterhouse change their lives for the better through their relationship counselling project REACT.
REACT was established in January 2005, with funding from The Scottish Executive and the Camelot Foundation, to empower young people and young parents to overcome barriers by creating learning opportunities with a focus on relationships. Research had revealed 48 percent of mothers in Greater Easterhouse were less than 25 years of age and that 87 percent of young people in the area experienced some form of relationship difficulty.
REACT’s early intervention work with young people builds awareness of important relationship skills such as communication, listening and conflict negotiation. Through developing relationship skills, REACT aims to aid in the formation and maintenance of positive healthy relationships at all levels. This includes not only couple relationships but relationships with extended family, peers, employers and other community members.
The benefits gained from having strong relationships are numerous. There is conclusive evidence to show that good parenting is less likely when parents have a troubled relationship. The development of children both at home and in school can be adversely affected if parents, whether together or separated, have a dysfunctional relationship. ”I didn’t realise how much communication between me and other people affected my children” said a participant on the young parents project.
 Recent findings have revealed that young people today find it increasingly difficult to talk about a number of topics but especially sex and relationships. This situation is exacerbated by a general lack of access to quality information. Young people said they found it difficult to express their feelings openly and honestly and that they did not possess the skills to negotiate the complexities of personal relationships.This demonstrated to SMC a real need to work with young people in schools, enhancing emotional intelligence and increasing relationship knowledge. As with adults, young people who have good knowledge of relationships will be better equipped to build and maintain them. REACT has managed to provide a safe place for young people to talk and learn about the subject of relationships.
Since it began REACT has delivered group sessions in youth clubs and schools to 166 young people and the number continues to grow. Workshops have been established in a number of local schools and continue to be delivered with an overwhelmingly positive response.
By providing education and counselling about relationships REACT has equipped the young people in Easterhouse with important life skills and provided the community with a much needed resource. Additionally, REACT has shown couples and individuals how to improve their quality of life by encouraging communication and reducing stress. A project like REACT empowers young people and is another vital part of developing confident contributing citizens who are proactive in making their local community a better place to live.
 ”I didn’t realise how much communication between me and other people affected my children” said a participant on the young parents project.
“I’m thrilled with the work the REACT team have done and have great hopes for the continued, successful delivery of this service,” said Mary Toner.
More information:
Sonia Scott, Co-ordinator REACT
Westwood Business Centre
Aberdalgie Road
Easterhouse, G34 9HJ.
Phone: 0141 781 9681
Scottish Marriage Care - Celebrating 40 years of supporting families.
www.scottishmarriagecare.org/REACT/REACT.html
REACT - One year on, pdf 603kb
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