Marriage support goes on-line for the 21st century
Registered marriage venues are already reporting brisk business after the romance of Millennium night, however the traditional support network for married couples, the extended family, is no longer there to help them maintain a happy and enriching marriage. A new online marriage service, 2-in-2-1, is set to fill the gap and bring marriage support firmly into the 21st Century, 50 years after the concept of publicly funded marriage support services was first born.
2-in-2-1 is the first website of its kind in the world combining friendly advice and access to services in one place. It launches on February 7th 2000, at the start of National Marriage Week, when marriage is celebrated nation-wide, as a positive lifestyle choice in today’s society. Celine Dion and her husband’s recent, very high profile renewal of their wedding vows and the much-publicised celebrity weddings of 'Posh' and 'Becks' and Zoe Ball and Norman Cook, have all helped marriage to remain a modern choice.
But celebrity-weddings or not, the pace of modern life is placing marriage under constant pressure and support systems are needed now, more than ever. David Percival, founder of 2-in-2-1 explains, "Social changes over the past 40 years have not only brought great benefits, but have raised expectations of married relationships whilst placing marriage and the family under increased strain - a romantic dream confronted by endless demands of work and family life. Since 1980 the numbers of first marriages have declined, the divorce rate increased, and there has been widespread concern at the impact on the health of adults and children. The Government addressed this concern in its Consultation Document last year -'Supporting Families'. Although a wide variety of support is available to couples, not everybody is aware of it, nor do they necessarily feel free to talk. The Government's Directory of Marriage Support Services is a useful resource, but we believe that we must continue to find more accessible ways of reaching couples who need help."
With over 10 million people in the UK already accessing the Internet and familiar with its use, 2-in-2-1 is set to revolutionise the way much-needed support is provided for the 300,000 or so couples who get married each year in the UK. People do not like revealing their concerns and the Internet is therefore an ideal environment to provide this service – anonymous, confidential and interactive.
By drawing together an extensive group of partnerships in this one location, 2-in-2-1 aims to provide 'one-stop' advice, shopping, information and discussion for couples in a welcoming and relaxed environment.
Arranged as a 'small town' with a series of areas guiding the visitor to appropriate content, the site includes a Health Club with advice and services to keep your relationship in top condition; a Clinic addressing issues ranging from the early years and the loss of romance through to tough topics such as infidelity, affairs and abuse; the Wedding Centre, operated in alliance with The Wedding Guide, covering every aspect of wedding planning from the cars, dresses and ceremony to a Relationship questionnaire and advice for the early years of marriage; the Chapel focusing on the spiritual dimensions of marriage and the University which provides a forum for academic discussion of marriage today. Finally the Coffee Shop allows customers to pause and enjoy a variety of romantic touches, humour and entertainment.
2-in-2-1 will continue to develop partnerships with like-minded organisations, charities and businesses that respect the value and purpose of marriage. In turn, partners will benefit from the opportunity to develop products and services with 2-in-2-1 and make them accessible to married couples throughout the UK.
The 2-in-2-1 website is at www.2-in-2-1.co.uk from February 7th 2000.
