Relationships Sexuality Programme The REAL U Relationships Explored

Relationships & Sexuality Programme The REAL U: Relationships Explored and Life Uncovered is a 2 day training course that will equip you to engage young people in developing and building positive relationships and to explore issues pertinent to Relationships and Sexuality. It has been developed as a way of exploring a number of relevant topics including boundaries, puberty, body image, reproduction, sexuality, contraception, sexually transmitted infections and emotional well-being. The programme is set out in a comprehensive manual, designed for use by trained facilitators with young people. It is recommended that the programme be delivered over 12 weeks for one hour and 30 minutes every week, drawing on modules appropriate for younger and older age groups. REAL U Programme Aims The REAL U programme is a personal development and sex education programme aimed at equipping young people with the skills, knowledge and confidence to develop healthy relationships and delay the onset of early sexual activity. Learning Outcomes Participants will be able to: • Recognise and develop strategies to cultivate positive relationships. • Develop and practice effective communication skills, in particular assertiveness. • Demonstrate increased awareness of their behaviour in relationships. • Explain the importance of respect with regards to a person’s sexual orientation. • Outline ways of maintaining positive emotional well-being. • Describe the importance of developing their own boundaries within relationships. • Recognise how the male and female reproductive system works. • Access relevant information available to them. Evaluation Findings Conducted by NUI Galway Outcomes data showed statistically significant effects for the young people who had taken part in REAL U in relation to positive attitudes to LGBT and knowledge about sex. Young people rated the programme highly, with 98% rating it as good, very good or excellent, while 84% said that they would recommend the programme to other young people. Qualitative data highlighted that young people found the programme relevant, fun and insightful. TRAINING INFORMATION Training is interactive, where participants get the opportunity to facilitate activities. Those attending the training should have the level of facilitation skills necessary to role out the manual to groups or individuals. Training will be delivered by Foróige staff regionally, based on demand. To apply for a place on this training please contact training@foroige. ie or contact our Training Co-Ordinator Martina O’ Brien 01 630 1560