June 26, 2025 marks this year’s RSE Day, themed “Communicate!”—a celebration of healthy relationships, open dialogue & inclusivity. It’s more than just a date in the diary; it’s a moment to honour the co-production of learning materials, the privilege of teaching and the joy that brings when you see the difference good communication has on Young People.
The idea of communication should run alongside collaboration, although communication underpins all relationships and forms the basis for trust, consent, understanding, and respect that then leads to positive, healthy relationships. Collaboration, working with any and all stakeholders, young people, parents, academies, commissioners & sexual health providers means that young people will get consistent messages from everyone surrounding them. Research shows RSE is most effective when it includes home, school, and community voices.
As RSE educators, co-production is a privilege and a necessary tool when trying to ensure that the information and resources used are relevant. When young people help create their own learning resources—activity cards, quizzes, booklets—they grow in confidence, creativity, and agency. And when they then see their ideas in practice there is a recognition that they have been heard and that their ideas are valued. These experiences foster not just knowledge, but empowerment, resilience, confidence and critical thinking.
The development of these skills then translates into real life relationship building skills, understanding that their voices/ideas can really make a difference.
Working within relationship & sex education is not just a teaching role, it’s not just a health prevention role, it’s not just a youth work role, it’s not just a communication role. It’s all of those and much more, it’s a role that needs engagement and buy in from all stakeholders. RSE cannot work in a silo. If we can communicate messages of resilience, confidence, agency and critical thinking we are keeping young people, their peers and ultimately society a much safer place to engage in relationships.
Mark Robinson
RSE Coordinator