Several local former Relate centres, some of which were struggling to stay afloat, have merged into TLC: Talk, Listen, Change.
Former national counselling charity Relate was bought out of administration in January 2025 by Family Action, with all 185 staff who transferred across.
Since then, seven local Relate centres, registered charities in their own right, have become part of relationships charity TLC.
In April last year, TLC Group – which comprises the TLC charity and its subsidiary Now You’re Talking Therapy – acquired Relate Bradford & Leeds, which had been at risk of closure.
This week, TLC announced that six other former Relate centres have also merged into it, growing its staff from 145 to 185.
The other six former Relate centres are: Chesterfield and North Derbyshire, Cross Pennine, East Anglia, London North East and Essex, Severn and Wye, and Avon.
Relate Avon, which has 35 staff and provides counselling in Bath and Bristol, has been renamed Relationship Works and will operate as a subsidiary of TLC.
“The others are full mergers and will simply be branches of TLC,” a spokesperson for the national charity added.
Some other local former Relate charities have joined Family Action since its acquisition of the national charity last year, the spokesperson added.
‘Tough time’ for smaller charities
The merging charities saw an alignment of values, mission, and vision with TLC, the spokesperson said.
Some were reassured by TLC’s own growth from being a former Relate centre itself (Relate Greater Manchester South) to a national charity, they said.
Michelle Hill, TLC Group chief executive, said the mergers were also in the best interests of her charity.
Hill said: “Merging with so many small charities has partially been about rebalancing TLC to provide a range of relationship support options in addition to domestic abuse prevention work.”
Some of the former Relate centres were struggling during a “tough time” for small charities and a couple were close to insolvency, the TLC spokesperson said.
Caroline Hattersley, chief executive of TLC’s Family and Relationship Centre, formerly Relate London North East & Essex, said the merger had put her charity in a stronger position.
The centre reported a net loss of £174,000 in its most recent accounts for 2024-25, with its expenditure of £939,000 surpassing its total income.
Hattersley said: “Like many small charities, we’ve faced incredibly tough challenges since Covid.
“This merger with Talk, Listen, Change is not just a new chapter – it’s a powerful opportunity to grow.”
Meanwhile, Relationship Therapy North, formerly Relate Cross Pennine, reported a total income of £376,000 and expenditure of £363,000 in its latest accounts.
On its merger into TLC, Diane Huck, chief executive of Relationship Therapy North, said: “We’re proud to now be part of an organisation that aligns so well with our culture and values.
“Merging with TLC is a positive step forward.”
