Chichester charity Options’ education programme reaches over 2,200 local young people

‘Options’ works in local schools and youth settings, delivering workshops on healthy sex and relationships, sexual health, online safety, consent, and unplanned pregnancy. They also focus on identifying key features of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE); control and coercion.

The Education project provides learners with a safe and non-judgemental environment, helping young people to explore difficult topics and make informed, well-timed decisions at a time that is appropriate for them.

Sessions support young people to resist peer pressure and building a firm foundation for their relationships and sexual health, both now and in the

future.

Options’ Education Manager, Natalie Newell, is a qualified teacher with advanced specialist RSE training and experience.

This academic year, the charity is celebrating delivering 102 sessions reaching 2,271 young people aged 9 to 18 years.

Rob Angell from Chichester Free School said: “The impact of engaging and informative health related sessions, by external speakers, on the wellbeing and development of our pupils here at Chichester Free School is huge. Options Chichester are exceptional in engaging in an age-appropriate way that makes our pupils carefully consider what their future choices may be.”

The education work serves school catchment areas in which approximately 40 per cent of children are in poverty.

The team work with young people who are considered ‘high risk’, including pupils excluded from mainstream education or who are vulnerable due to additional needs.

Young people often discuss sessions with peers or family members, therefore raising awareness in

the community of these issues.

The charity now also works in local Primary schools, whereby sessions focuses on healthy relationships, puberty, menstrual wellbeing, and reproduction.

Topics covered meet the government RSE guidelines and are designed to give children accurate information to build their confidence and knowledge at the same time as reducing shame and stigma.

With the use of audience participation equipment, Options can demonstrate the difference the sessions make.

At the start and the end of sessions, students answer the same questions to show the learning they’ve achieved.

Feedback from students has been positive and encouraging, with many stating they had been looking forward to the sessions and valued the space to speak freely, without judgement.

Teaching staff have also been impressed by the sessions and 100 per cent of staff in every school that were visited and said that the content fitted with

the curriculum, and that the delivery was excellent.

Options also provides free, non-directive help and support to anyone facing unplanned pregnancy or struggling after a pregnancy loss or an abortion. If you would like to support

Options or find out more about the services they offer, please head to their website www.optionschichester.org.uk for more details.

If you would like to make a donation to the charity you can text OPTIONSCHI (followed by the amount) to 70460.