By Natasha Richards
Sexplain want to bring sex and relationships education into the 21st century!
What an amazing aim (my first thought)
How do I get involved (a close second)
Above two images:
All vulvas and penises are different – playdough anatomy activity
I knew that I wanted to undertake a placement that related directly to my research into Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) in the UK. During discussions with the Sex Education Forum, I was pointed in the direction of Amelia Jenkinson, Director of Sexplain. After a few email exchanges, we met in a coffee shop in London. Amelia was friendly, knowledgeable and passionate – just like the company. I was extremely excited to be involved, and the placement continued to excite me throughout.
During my placement I delivered in-school workshops on porn, consent, sexting and healthy relationships. I worked to uphold the Sexplain aim – to support young people and those working with them to ensure everyone has access to a complete, inclusive and comprehensive sex education. Every workshop exposed me to new questions, challenges and discoveries. I learnt so much about the topic, the young people, and about myself. My placement encouraged me to reflect further on my own creative practice and feminist pedagogy, which was invaluable for my PhD progress.
I was very lucky that Sexplain entrusted me with many important and innovative tasks within the company. I attended events as a Sexplain representative;
I wrote and disseminated blog posts; I liaised with companies to request menstrual product samples and sex toy samples for use in the workshops; I assisted with writing grant applications; I researched nudes, sexting and film resources, and created ideas for new film resources; and finally (my favourite task) I devised new written scenarios and activities as part of new programme design.
The placement provided me with a platform to develop in many of the areas detailed in the Vitae Researcher Development Framework:
(A1) Subject knowledge of Relationship and Sex Education, particularly with regards to nudes, sexting and pornography
(A3) Innovative approaches to RSE through creative methods, including using play dough to discuss anatomy and body image
(B3) Networking at events while representing the company, and learning how to pitch work in a short space of time
(C3) Funding generation by supporting with grant applications, with one of the grant applications that I wrote being successful
(C2) Project planning and delivery across existing Sexplain programmes and new programmes that developed and tested in classroom settings
(D3) Teaching in schools across the UK, gaining experience in public, private and independent settings
So, as well as building lots of skills, why did I love my placement?
I loved the inclusivity of Sexplain: being a part of the company felt like being a part of social change in action. They do not just pay lip service to inclusion, but ensure it is always at the core of their practice. They are a ground-breaking company and I am very grateful to have had the chance to work with them. Though there were many wonderful moments during the placement, the memory of thirty boys holding up play dough vulvas and discussing how different they all look and how that is a positive thing, will always stand out in my mind.
The journey does not end here. I will still be a Sexplain Unembarrassable Facilitator and continue to develop innovative projects with Amelia and Dolly. But, more importantly, I will apply the learning and skills that I have developed to both my academic and professional development.
My main advice to any students considering a placement is to ensure the company’s ethos aligns with your core values and provides you with an opportunity to develop your skills and knowledge in a field about which you are passionate.