The final episode of this Yorkshire Calendar series on issues relating to family breakdown and divorce. Presenter Marylyn Webb holds several discussions on topics relating to the rising divorce rate in Britain, which is one of the highest in the western world, how a marriage or couples counselling could help and about a recently introduced bill currently passing through parliament: the Matrimonial and Family Proceeding bill. Title: Yorkshire Television Production Calendar At Your Service...

The final episode of this Yorkshire Calendar series on issues relating to family breakdown and divorce. Presenter Marylyn Webb holds several discussions on topics relating to the rising divorce rate in Britain, which is one of the highest in the western world, how a marriage or couples counselling could help and about a recently introduced bill currently passing through parliament: the Matrimonial and Family Proceeding bill. Title: Yorkshire Television Production Calendar At Your Service Pulling Through Presenter Marylyn Webb begins this programme on family breakdown and divorce by providing statistics to show how in the past twenty years the number of petitions for divorce have risen steeply to 150,000 a year. With 1 in three marriages now ending in financial dispute, recrimination and often disturbed and confused children the question is asked does it have to be this way? In the studio with Marylyn is Maggie Forbes a Marriage Guidance Councillor from Leeds and Marjorie Ashdown from Family Mediation. A discussion follows as to what can be done to encourage couples to seek and obtain help before choosing to separate or divorce and what should be done once a decision has been made especially with regards children. Both women provide details of the work that they do and are asked what has gone wrong with marriage? Bringing the discussion to a close Marylyn moves the programme onto talk about the problem of stress caused by separation and divorce and a new day-care centre which has been established as part of the Psychiatric department at St James University Hospital in Leeds which aims to help. Marylyn speaks with Errol Reid Warden and Co-ordinator of Tuke House and Social Worker Joan Marsh about a 12-week course which aims to help the individual find a better way of living and coping as well as improve the quality of their lives. Back in the studio Marylyn leads a second discussion on how marital breakdowns causes stress firstly with Professor Andrew Sims from St James University Hospital in Leeds who set up the course and day-care centre featured previously. He talks about the need for such centres for people who can’t cope and can find support away from a hospital setting. Sitting beside Professor Sims is ‘Jean’ from the Samaritans who says that the biggest reason for people calling them is relationship problems. She provides some details of what people who call in talk about and about what the Samaritans can do to help. An interview follows with Anne Dukinfield regarding the circumstance of her divorce six years earlier. She talks about the effect this had on her and the reaction of her two children. She talks about the initial relief that the divorce was happening, but later feelings of depression and isolation set on. She also discusses the financial problems she has had, but how she has now moved on and developed a wide circle of friends and is very happy. Returning to the Marylyn in the studio a final discussion with regards a new bill passing through parliament, the Matrimonial and Family Proceeding bill. She asks both Jerry Pearlman from the Leeds Law Centre and Bob Edworthy from the National Council for the Divorced and Separated is it now too easy for people to divorce? Both men have different responses with the discussion ending on Bob Edworthy who provides details on how the council helps the divorced and separated. Bringing the programme to a close Marylyn thanks her guests and provides details on how viewers can get a leaflet on the topics and information raised in the programme. Title: Calendar At Your Service Credit: was presented by Marylyn Webb Research Christopher Walker Director Gary Ward Producer David Garner Executive Producer Graham Ironside Title: © YTV Limited 1983 End title: Yorkshire Television Production