2.06 (Nick Mathison MLA) - Open conversations: taking the politics out of RSE
This episode features an in-depth interview with Nick Mathison MLA. Nick is an Alliance Party MLA representing the Strangford constituency, and the Chair of the Education Committee in the Northern Ireland Assembly. During the interview Nick reflects on the messages he received around relationships and sexuality growing up; his views on positive and negative depictions of masculinity; his experiences of working in England; his journey into politics; conversations on sexual health in the workplace; his role on a Board of Governors at a local Primary School; discussions with constituents regarding Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE); the Education Committee’s inquiry into RSE; the role of parents in the teaching of this subject; meaningful engagement with young people; and forming relationships with MLAs from different political parties. Useful linksInforming Choices NIEducation Committee - RSE InquiryNI Assembly - RSE Motion LegislationThe Relationships and Sexuality Education (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Regulations 2023ResearchNIACT Review 2024A thematic evaluation of the preventative curriculum in schools and EOTAS centresRelationships and Sexuality Education in Post Primary Schools in Northern Ireland: A Compelling Case for ReformAny use? reportSSUNI Let Us Learn report
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51:37
2.05: (Joe Harris) - It's more than a condom demonstration
This episode features an in-depth interview with Joe Harris. Joe has worked in the field of sexual health for almost 30 years, during which time he has been employed in both the community and statutory sectors. He worked for the Family Planning Association in Northern Ireland as a Project Officer before joining the Belfast Trust Sexual Health Training Team. Joe is the sexual health lead for the Health Improvement Team within the Belfast Trust, and organises the Annual Regional Sexual Health Conference in Northern Ireland. He is also a Trustee of Common Youth. During the interview Joe reflects on the messages he received around relationships and sexuality growing up; his early career and journey into the field of sexual health; working with young men and the issues they faced; providing RSE training to teachers; changing attitudes towards the teaching of RSE; the recent changes announced to the education curriculum by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; involving parents in the teaching of RSE; the upcoming Annual Regional Sexual Health Conference; and his aspirations for sexual and reproductive health going forward.Useful linkshttps://informingchoicesni.org/LegislationThe Relationships and Sexuality Education (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Regulations 2023ConsultationRelationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) ConsultationResearchAny use? reportA thematic evaluation of the preventative curriculum in schools and EOTAS centresRelationships and Sexuality Education in Post Primary Schools in Northern Ireland: A Compelling Case for Reform
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50:24
2.04: (Yas Rodriguez) - A deafening roar of information
This episode features an in-depth interview with Yas Rodriguez. Yas was born and raised in Cuba, before moving to Northern Ireland in her 20's, and has now lived in Belfast for the past 25 years. She is a parent, and a teacher, and is involved in several local community campaigns. During the interview Yas reflects upon her childhood in Cuba; the messages she received around sexual health and relationships; the process involved in establishing a new Code for Families; accessing sexual health services in Cuba; her experience of living in Northern Ireland, and the difference in attitudes around sex and relationships; her views on how RSE is taught in Northern Ireland; what issues the teaching of RSE raises for her as a parent; her views on how best to support parents to engage with their children around RSE; and her aspirations for sexual health, rights and education going forward. Useful linkshttps://informingchoicesni.org/NewsCuba Family Code: Country votes to legalise same-sex marriage
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45:57
2.03: (Ellen Taylor) - How do you get rid of a stigma?
This episode contains an in-depth interview with Ellen Taylor. Ellen is the Vice President and Community Relations Officer of the Secondary Students’ Union of Northern Ireland and chair of the Newry, Mourne and Down Youth Council. She is starring in season 2 of the CBBC sci-fi adventure series Silverpoint, and is currently studying her A-Levels.During the interview Ellen reflects on school life during Covid-19; her involvement with the Secondary Students' Union of Northern Ireland; establishing a Feminist Society; producing a report into sexism and sexual harassment in schools; counselling services in schools; her experience of RSE and preferences on how it should be taught; the provision of information on sexual health services; social media and the influence of Andrew Tate; and her aspirations for sexual health, rights and education going forward. Useful linkshttps://informingchoicesni.org/https://ssuni.org/ ResourcesSSUNI Sexual Harassment and Sexism SurveyNewsDUP's Jim Wells criticised for response to teenager who used 'The North' in emailPeriod poverty: No free tampons in school 'adds stress to families'Students tell of anger at cuts to NI education servicesThe Good Friday Agreement changed everything for Northern Ireland's young people - so teach them about it
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50:59
2.02: (Professor Dirk Schubotz) - Conducting sexual health research with young people
This episode contains an in-depth interview with Professor Dirk Schubotz. Dirk is a professor in the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work at Queen’s University Belfast and has conducted vast amounts of research in the areas of sexuality, sexual health, and gender. He is a member of ARK, Northern Ireland's Social Policy Hub, and has directed the annual Young Life and Times survey of 16-year-olds since 2003. He is also a Trustee of Common Youth. Dirk reflects on growing up in East Berlin before the fall of the Berlin Wall; his background in youth work; attending the first Pride parade to take place in Belfast; producing the first large scale study into the sexual attitudes and experiences of young people in Northern Ireland; interacting with schools on conducting a survey regarding young people's views on homosexuality and abortion; young people's experiences of relationships and sexuality education (RSE); findings from the Young Life and Times Survey; working with the Belfast Youth Forum to produce their 'Any Use?' report on RSE; and his aspirations around sexual health in Northern Ireland going forward. If you would like support around a sexual health issue you can call the Sexual Health Helpline on 028 9031 6100.Useful linkshttps://informingchoicesni.org/https://www.ark.ac.uk/ARK/yltResourcesAny Use? report: Young people’s opinions on Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) in BelfastSticks and Stones? Violence experiences of 16-year olds in Northern Ireland Sexual risks and capacities: Developing a peer-led educational resource to address sexual risks among young people Relationships and Sexuality Education and Homophobic and Transphobic Name Calling
Highly commended in the Irish Podcast Awards 2023 – Best Sex & Relationships podcastDo you remember all the family gatherings spent discussing the joys of sex around the dinner table? Or the classes in school where your RE teacher showed you how to put a condom on a demonstrator? No? REALLY! If, like us, you didn’t have those cosy conversations about sex growing up, then this is the podcast for you! Big Sexy Talk is brought to you by Informing Choices NI. It is produced in mini-series format, with each collection of episodes focusing on a different area of sexual and reproductive health. We conduct in-depth interviews with key influencers, and provide information on sexual and reproductive health services. Join us on a journey as we create a culture of openness about sexual and reproductive health and empower people with the information they need to make informed choices. After all this is a sexual health podcast, so it is.
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