A group from Caversham Baptist Church has been helping Dunedin residents get through divorce or break-ups for more than 15 years.
The 13-week DivorceCare programme has assisted more than 150 people, one of the founding organisers, Glen Hollard, said.
Mrs Hollard said while the programme material came from the United States, they localised the content as much as possible, assisted by the stories and experiences of those in the group.
She said people going through divorce sometimes did not get the support they needed from families and friends.
But everyone who attended the course had gone through a divorce or break-up and understood them.‘‘The pain is always the same.''
Mrs Hollard said the structure of the evenings included watching a short DVD - about a range of topics - followed by supper and a discussion.
Facilitator Anne Beamish, who has been through the course herself, said while a lot of people who came along were initially wary of being part of it, they were often the most enthusiastic about the programme further down the track.
‘‘It's a safe place.''
Ms Beamish said she enjoyed watching the change in people when they realised life was ‘‘worth living'' again.
‘‘They see the light at the end of the tunnel.''
The next DivorceCare programme begins at 7.30pm on Tuesday, April 5 at Caversham Baptist Church. Phone Glen on 022 131-2866 for more information.
By Greta Yeoman
