A POUNDBURY charity took the opportunity of a visit from a local politician to push its latest campaign.

North Dorset MP Bob Walter paid a visit to Relate’s Poundbury base and heard from centre manager Sheila Maycock about the charity’s Relationship Manifesto.

The piece of work focuses on strengthening relationships and calls on political parties to include elements to help improve family relationships in their campaigns prior to next year’s elections.

Mr Walter also got the chance to sit in on one of Relate’s Separated Parents Information Programme sessions, which aim to help parents understand the impact of conflict on their children and offers guidance on improved communication.

Sheila said the charity runs a range of other services including relationship counselling, children and young people’s counselling and family mediation.

Mr Walter said he was looking forward to finding out more about its work on his visit.

He said: “I have come along at the invitation of Relate because I’m genuinely interested in how they are solving families’ problems either during or after a marriage had broken down, particularly when it involves children.

“I’m here to learn.”

The occasion also saw a presentation from Joshua Leslie-Smith, who raised over £400 for Relate through an epic swim from Weymouth to Lulworth in the summer.

Joshua, supported by coach Kate Mason and accompanied by Tara Lawrence, completed the ten-mile swim in around four hours.

He chose to raise funds for Relate because his mum Alison works for the charity.

Joshua said: “I love swimming and I wanted to do something long distance to raise funds.”

Donations can still be made at Relate’s centre in Middle Farm Way, Poundbury.

The charity does charge a fee for some of its counselling services but is a non-profit making organisation and adheres to the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy ethical framework.

It receives some funding from Dorset County Council for its new service for carer relationships and for its children’s services but is reliant on fundraisers and volunteers.

Relate is always keen to hear from anyone who is interested in volunteering or becoming a trustee for the charity.

For more information call 01305 262285 or your can send an email to enquiries@relatedorset.org.uk