SHER-Y Toolkit for Educators
Talking to young people about puberty, sexuality, consent, body image, and relationships is not always easy. These topics can raise uncertainty, questions, and different points of view. That is precisely why it is important for young people to have access to adults and educators who can discuss them openly, respectfully, and without judgement.
To support these conversations, the SHER-Y Toolkit for youth workers, educators, and youth leaders was created. It is a practical and adaptable resource for working with young people, providing not only essential knowledge but also concrete tools for discussing sensitive topics in a safe and youth-friendly way. The Toolkit is designed primarily for working with young people aged 15–17 and is based on an empathetic and evidence-based approach.
This is not simply a collection of theoretical materials. The Toolkit includes ready-to-use session plans, creative activities, discussion questions, and reflection exercises that can be adapted to the needs of each group. The educator’s role is not to provide all the “right” answers, but to create an environment where young people can ask questions, discuss different perspectives, think critically, and reach informed conclusions for themselves.
The Toolkit consists of three modules:
UNDERSTANDING OUR BODIES – covering puberty and bodily changes, sexual health, body image, and self-esteem.
CONSENT IS KEY – exploring the meaning of consent, complex situations involving consent, and consent in digital environments.
HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS – focusing on the characteristics of healthy and unhealthy relationships, respectful communication, and the impact of the internet on relationships.
Each topic is accompanied by practical activities that help young people not only gain information but also connect what they learn to real-life situations. Role-playing, small-group activities, individual reflection, and guided discussions create opportunities to explore issues that can sometimes be difficult to address in a traditional classroom setting.
At the same time, the Toolkit helps educators prepare for situations in which conversations may become challenging. It emphasises the importance of respecting young people’s boundaries, never pressuring anyone to share personal experiences, and preventing ridicule or offensive comments. The activities and discussion questions should not be treated as a rigid script – they can be modified and adapted to the dynamics and needs of each group.
In addition to session materials, the Toolkit includes mentoring guidelines and peer educator training guidelines. These provide practical recommendations for communication, managing group dynamics, responding to challenging situations, and creating a safe and inclusive environment.
The key aim of the SHER-Y Toolkit is to help educators create spaces where young people feel safe to ask questions, make mistakes, discuss different perspectives, and feel heard. Quality sexual health and relationship education is about much more than simply providing facts. It helps young people understand themselves, respect others, recognise and communicate their boundaries, and make informed decisions.
And for educators to approach these conversations with confidence and care, they too need access to high-quality, practical tools.
The SHER-Y project is implemented with the support of the Erasmus+ programme under the project 2023-2-LV02-KA220-YOU-000170546 Sexual Health Education Reimagined (SHER-Y): A Comprehensive Approach for the Young Generation
tion.
