about
Heart to Heart Mission
To bring Hope to those affected by divorce or separation.
Who are we?
Heart to Heart is a Company Limited by Guarantee with charitable status. It was founded in 2003 by Sheena Orr and Lynne Murray against a backdrop of increasing numbers of relationship breakdown in our society. It‘s Christian origins and ethos remain principle to the work of the organization and it has grown steadily since its inception.
The annual divorce rate in Scotland stands at 12,773 in 2007. This figure does not include the number of co-habitating couples who separate. The co-founders spent considerable time on research and materials to get Heart to Heart off the ground in 2003/2004. This included involvement in a consultation with Holy Trinity Brompton, London.
Heart to Heart has a number of volunteers without whom it would not be possible to provide the range of support on offer. Heart to Heart aims to ensure its volunteers flourish as much as its clients by investing time and training to ensure the quality of support is maintained and developed.
Volunteers have provided in excess of 1,180 hours (the equivalent of 49 days) Heart to Heart during 1/4/07 – 31/3/08.
The future work of Heart to Heart will be based on specific needs that are identified through the expansion and research projects and continued evaluation of current support.
A grant has been awarded to Heart to Heart to research the effects of a parents relationship breakdown has on a child/young person and how best to support them at this time of change and trauma.
Is this a counselling service?
NO – Heart to Heart is based on sharing experiences and building up a network of friends – all Heart to Heart volunteers do undergo active listening and other support related training.
Volunteers are also able to signpost people to other services such as lawyers, financial advisors, childcare, careers guidance, etc. Confidentiality is respected at all times.
It doesn’t matter at what stage you are in the divorce or separation process - the support comes from talking about what helps, what doesn’t and hearing that there is light at the end of the tunnel!
Values
• Respect to clients and their circumstances irrespective of their background, age, race, religious or sexual orientation. Avoiding discrimination on any grounds; to offer accessible services to as wide a range of people in need as possible; to ensure that their views are fully represented.
• Care motivated by a desire to meet people’s emotional and spiritual needs. An important element of care is active listening which allows a building of deeper relationships with those being supported.
• Confidentiality throughout the organisation. Without this, confidence and trust in the service provided would be undermined.