The classes are to help build relationships

The Closeness in Marriage workshop, run by the Care for the Family charity, is to be held in Abergavenny.

The three-hour workshop is designed to help couples understand each other better, recognise their own needs and relate better to their spouse.

But organisers stress that the class is not for people whose marriage is in trouble but rather for couples who want to improve their relationship.

Michael Woodward, who is organising the event said: "Nowadays we often don't seem to have the time to talk to the people we should be talking to.

It teaches people how to improve the quality of their relationship and encourages people to give themselves more time with each other Michael Woodward

"This workshop is designed to allow you to give each other your full attention and bring your relationship into focus.

"It is about making you closer to your partner.

"If you are in crisis in your relationship, the class is not suitable.

"It is about trying to improve things before they get bad.

"It teaches people how to improve the quality of their relationship and encourages people to give themselves more time with each other," he said.

Something to learn

Led by 'leader couples' who have been trained, about 30 couples can attend the workshop and organisers have already taken a number of booking for the October event which will be held at St Mary's Priory Centre in Abergavenny.

"It isn't about group therapy, the couples talk about things between themselves," said Mr Woodward.

"I know it is quite a scary thing to do and there is a fair amount of reluctance in coming to this sort of thing.

"But people who attend say that they are glad that they came," he said.

And Mr Woodward said that the workshops were designed for people of all ages.

"It is for everyone, whether you are just starting out or you are about to celebrate your diamond wedding anniversary - we can all learn something," he added.