The transition comes after a period of reflection and exploration following the recent changes within the national Relate Federation.
Relate National went into administration in late 2024 after funding issues and sent ripples through the family therapy and relationship support sector.
While Family Action stepped in to acquire and continue the national brand, affiliated local centres were faced with critical decisions about their future alignment.
Relate Bradford & Leeds itself has been active for over 77 years, enhancing mental health and wellbeing through relationship support for people of all ages.
The service has continuously evolved to meet the changing needs of the area's diverse communities, including introducing innovative services such as One Session Therapy and specialised relationship support for women with breast cancer.
TLC: Talk, Listen, Change, founded in 2017 after its own disaffiliation from the Relate Federation, is a national relationships charity and a dynamic, values-driven organisation that delivers therapy, domestic abuse support, wellbeing, and community services across the UK.
With roots in the North West and a growing national presence, TLC has built a reputation for innovation, inclusivity, and integrity.
Following months of positive dialogue, shared learning, and mutual respect, both organisations agreed to a formal collaboration that offers sustainability and growth potential.
Tina Butler, CEO for Relate Bradford & Leeds, said: "On behalf of all at Relate Bradford & Leeds, we are delighted to share our new partnership with TLC, an organisation that clearly aligns with our values, our culture, our ethos, and importantly, our joint commitment in serving people we work with, in our communities and as always, with care, with kindness and with compassion.
“This is an incredibly exciting time and feels the perfect fit for us. We are really looking forward to discovering what our future together holds.”
Michelle Hill, CEO of TLC: Talk, Listen, Change Group, said “For TLC as a relationships charity, with safe, healthy, happy relationships as the core aim of our work, joining forces with Relate in Bradford & Leeds seemed a natural fit.
“We’ve spent some time getting to know one another and building our relationship – and now is the time for us to make our collaboration formal. We are so excited to see what comes next for us together.”