The Association of Christian Counsellors (ACC) South West region will focus on strengthening relationships within stepfamilies at its forthcoming regional conference and AGM.

The training day on October 25 will be led by Christine Tufnell, who became a single parent in 1980 when her husband left her and her two sons when she was 14 weeks pregnant with their third child. Christine has been married to Tony Tufnell since 1984, who at the time was also a single parent with three sons.

Over the last 20 years, Christine has shared her wisdom and experience in support work with single parents and stepfamilies. She has also co-authored a number of books on single-parenting and stepfamilies, including 'All Alone: hope and help for single parents' and 'Every Step Counts', co-authored with Tony.

"Stepfamilies are different. They have their own challenges. I want to encourage informed support to help these families to build lasting healthy relationships," said Christine, who also runs parenting and marriage events for Care for the Family and wrote the family support charity's 'From This Step Forward' preparation course for engaged couples who will be forming stepfamilies.

Margot Haley, ACC SW regional representative, said, "Who does not know of stepparents and stepchildren in their own circle of family and friends? This is a great opportunity to learn from someone as experienced as Christine Tufnell to better equip us in our work."

The ACC has 2,800 members and 150 affiliate associations. Whilst members are Christian, ACC counsellors also work with people of other faiths and no faith.

Next month's conference will bring together counsellors, pastoral carers, social workers and trainees in these fields when it meets for the day at St Leonards Church, Topsham Road, Exeter.