What you say about our work

Training - what commissioners and participants say

Thank you for delivering an excellent training. It's great to receive such positive feedback both through the evaluations you sent in and verbally. Needless to say we're oversubscribed for the second day which is a testament to the style and content and of course reflects a need for more open dialogue here. Teenage Pregnancy Commissioner,2009

Providing Education For Choice training has changed the way staff in a range of agencies feel about being able to deal with the issue of termination...it has increased staff confidence and knowledge and improved support for young people. I would recommend EFC training for anyone working in sexual health, but also wider services such as health visiting, school nursing, youth work and the voluntary sector. Teenage Pregnancy Coordinator, 2009

It was all valuable. I liked the facilitator's approach. Leaving Care Worker, Barking and Dagenham, 2008

The most valuable part of today's training that I will use in my place of work was feeling confident discussing these issues with young people. Leaving Care Worker, Durham 2008

I would like to thank you for facilitating the abortion workshop on Wednesday in Leeds. I had been looking forward to attending the workshop and I came away feeling quite energised and inspired. I appreciate the work, time, research and organisation that goes into planning such a training. The day was well thought out and the activities were both engaging and at times, provocative. The skill in which you facilitated discussion challenged our beliefs and preconceived ideas. I went into the training thinking that my classroom/school circumstances are just too difficult to broach the subject with any serious detail or discussion, but I came away knowing that I must. I have been teaching many years and I recognise a highly skilled trainer when I see one. Well done you!PSHE Coordinator - City of Leeds School

The facilitator was very knowledgeable and delivered an excellent, seamless day. Sexual Helath Service Provider, Camden 2008

It was lovely to have someone be balanced about the issue. Counsellor, Taunton 2008

I feel much better equipped to support a young person around options when pregnant.Connexions PA, Manchester 2008

I got so much more than I hoped for.
Connexions Worker, Richmond 2007

Inspiring facilitators (knowledge, communication skills, experience) and relaxed manner/style of delivery plus original and wel-thought-out practical activities/exercises. All in all I was thoroughly impressed and satisfied with the training, in particular the style, knowledge, skill and passion of the facilitators.  Project Worker, Stratford 2007

This programme was delivered in a user-friendly way. Lisa and Kate were excellent- they had first class communication skills and checked our understanding throughout. Teaching Assistant, Stratford 2006

One of the most positive training sessions I have experienced to date!
Youth Worker, Camden 2006

The facilitator had excellent communication skills and made the whole day a pleasure.
Teacher, Buckinghamshire, April 2005

I really felt we had an excellent facilitator. Hard work! But a lot covered. A really worthwhile day.
Connexions worker, Buckinghamshire, April 2005

Role play and tasks were enjoyable for a change!
Nurse, Newcastle, April 2005

Excellent – facilitators very informative and enthusiastic.
Connexions worker, Newcastle, April 2005

I enjoyed the variety in the different activities and meeting other professionals.
Teacher, Newcastle, April 2005

The facilitators and the programme was excellent. Delivery and use of suitable excercises allowed participants to explore their own views and values.
Sexual Health Service Provider, Newcastle, April 2005

Really insightful and considered delivery of training.
Newcastle, April 2005

Schools work - what the teachers say

Very good session – the facilitator was clear and confident and made students feel at ease discussing this issue.

Teacher, Haverstock School, Camden

(It gave students) a sense of responsibility and the realities of teen pregnancy. The speaker was very thorough and clearly motivated. The students responded very well and were thinking! I know the workshops were successful, not only because the girls have told me, but because they are still talking about it in the corridors. Well done and thank you!

Head of PSHE, Charles Edward Brooke Girl’s School, Lambeth

(The students left) feeling equipped to make informed choices and know where to get help/advice. Fantastic presentation. We were all very impressed by Natalie and how she interacted with the group. Thank you and hope to see you again.

Teacher, Oaks Park High School

The students spoke very highly of the facilitator’s handling of the topic and her ability to speak to the students on their level. Many thanks.

Teacher, St Clement Danes School, Hertfordshire

The pupils really enjoyed the workshops. The materials and style of facilitation were dovetailed to the needs of the pupils so that they felt safe to explore their views and feelings and make choices.

Head of PSHE, Brent Pupil Referral Unit

Schools work - what the students say

I enjoyed talking about it and actually having the chance to express your opinions

Something I will change as a result of the workshop is I will be more careful with what I am going to do.

I enjoyed the workshop because it provided me with helpful information.

I will think before I have sex.

I enjoyed everything.

Something I will change as a result of the workshop is use protection and be more careful.

I learnt about the choices that have to be made when dealing with pregnancy.

I learnt that there’s lots of different help we can get.

It was all good.

I enjoyed talking about abortion because maybe it will help me or I could tell someone who doesn’t know about abortion.

I would really think about it before I have sex because I don’t want to to take the risk.

I enjoyed learning about the good points of pregnancy.

I learnt that it is important to think forward before having sex.

Something I will change as a result of this workshop is…be more serious about it.

Something I will change as a result of the workshop…is to think about my actions that might take place and their consequences.

Website - what our visitors say about their experience of abortion education

I left school in September and wanted to raise awareness of how poor the information provided to us on abortion was, that is it was practically non-existent. All we were told was it was an option. Although abortion is obviously not an ideal option I think it is only fair that you are taught about it in school by a specialist.

Student

Many times we have lectures on contraceptives and sex under 16 is illegal, but little real advice is given. We don’t learn much about pregnancy, or on what to do if we are pregnant…after having a pregnancy scare myself, I decided it was up to me to learn the facts.

Student, Lancashire

(the teachers) were making us think abortion was wrong, they were telling us the methods which are quite disturbing.

Student

(our lessons were) very poor because they don’t teach you the proper facts and only touch the surface of the abortion topic.

Student, Nottingham

Our less wasn’t very informative. Focused mainly on what people think and feel about abortion, rather than explaining what it was and how it was done.

Student

The lessons were one-sided and the focus was on ‘natural family planning’…Input on abortion all negative. We were shown pictures of fully developed babies in the womb, and told that life begins at the moment of conception…basically sex-ed at my school was woefully bad.

Student, Scotland

I never remember being taught anything about abortion. If I hadn’t researched it for myself I would never have found out anything about it.

Student, Cheshire

Resources - what SRE teachers say

Thought I'd drop you a line to say well done with the Abortion Education Toolkit. A wellbalanced, even handed response to what can be a delicate issue (especially when dealing with faith schools). I shall be including it in our termly mailout.

SRE consultant, 2008