Imagine going up to a group of young people in the street at the rough end of town and striking up a conversation about condoms. Such a scenario is all in a day’s work for Independent Thinking’s newest Associate, Deborah Franklin.
Deborah can work with your students on everything they ever wanted to know about sex, health and happiness.
And yes, we mean everything! You can’t shock Deborah.
It was whilst working as a gynaecology nurse in the NHS that she became aware of the lack of adequate understanding and confidence amongst the young people she met. Unfortunately many of the young girls she came across were suffering because of unplanned pregnancy and health problems caused by sexually transmitted infections.
This led Deborah to spend the next six years as a nurse specialising in clinical and outreach work targeting young people most at risk of these problems.
During this time she continued as a clinical sexual health nurse whilst working closely with youth workers, teachers and parents to reduce the impact of risky behaviours on young peoples’ lives. Her work involved delivering sex and relationships education in youth clubs, school exclusion units, young mums groups and out on the streets of some of the most challenging and deprived areas.
She has a good grasp of the link between substance misuse and risky behaviours and worked with other nurses specialising in offering treatment and support to the same young people.
In 2003 Deborah set up her own training company and worked with the County Teenage Pregnancy Co-ordinator to improve access to GP surgeries for young people by successfully training every surgery in Northamptonshire on the need young people have for friendly, accessible healthcare.
Deborah is able to build a quick rapport with people from all walks of life and can offer fun, interactive and helpful sessions for young people, educators and parents in a way that is enthusiastic, energetic, realistic and compassionate. What’s more, all sessions are bespoke and delivered as part of a package which can also include aspects such as negotiating skills, self-esteem, confidence and life goals.
Her overall aim is to help young people avoid the pitfalls of unplanned pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and social exclusion so that they can have happy fulfilling lives.
Key sessions run by Deborah include:
Young People
• Managing Puberty
• Sexual Health
• Contraception
• Negotiating Skills
• Self-Esteem
• Life Goals and Purpose
Educators and Parents
• How to talk sex with young people
• The Ins and Outs of Sexually transmitted infections
• Confidence and Contraception
All sessions use a variety of learning styles, practical activities, group work and humour.
Comments from past delegates can best be summed up by one 15 year-old recently:
‘Deb rocks’
'She has an amazing ability to get some of the most challenging messages over in an engaging and inspiring way. A real talent.'
- For Deborah's prices click here
To make contact with Deborah and explore how she may be able to help you in this important work please call the Independent Thinking office on 0709 239 9617 or e-mail us at learn@independentthinking.co.uk