Project nextgen
Creating non judgement and open spaces for young people to safely explore sexual health and relationships builds confidence and sets health habits for adulthood.
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A key part of our service provision to end health inequity includes youth programmes for teenagers and young adults from Global Majority backgrounds. Acknowledging the fast-paced changes, opportunities and threats in the digital spaces they occupy, Project NextGen focus on the intersections between gender, sexuality, race, faith, and technology.
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In September 2020, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) became a mandatory subject in secondary schools across England. This change aimed to support schools to address internet safety and unhealthy relationships, key concerns affecting young people with the rise of social media.​
We know the adverse effects of prolonged social media use on mental health, and while social media can be a powerful tool for connection and support, it is also an incubator for misogyny, bullying, hard-right radicalisation, low-self esteem, and poor mental health.
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We are working with youth groups based in South London to have focused discussions on sexual and mental health-related topics affecting them. Our workshops span six weeks with weekly sessions that are underpinned by themes of gender-based violence, norms and stereotypes, laws and social attitudes yet leave space for young people to discuss the specific issues affecting them in their context.
Our workshops have students create and deliver presentations on the topics they have explored, contribute to positive social activism through a method of their choice (event, social media campaign, assembly) and therefore develop their work-experience and professional skills through the process. ​​​
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Feedback from participants aged 14-15:
‘We never get a space like this to just talk’
‘I love coming here- I wish we could do this more’
‘I’ve never been able to talk about these things like this before’
‘I like that we get to all speak’
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