Wirral has one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancy and abortion in Europe and is home to 1000’s of young people with low self esteem who ’give themselves away’ to multiple sexual partners in an attempt to quell their sense of worthlessness. At Wirral YFC we find this situation heartbreaking and believe that the local church needs to act when faced with these issues. As a part of the church in Wirral we have decided to act in the best way that we can and We are doing this through the Romance Academy.

In September 2005 you may have seen ‘No sex please we’re teenagers’ on BBC2. It followed the lives and loves of the very first Romance Academy made up of 12 North London teenagers and a number of Christian mentors. During their time in the Romance Academy, the young people where challenged to re-evaluate their worth and self-esteem and explore the benefits and frustrations of a sex-free lifestyle …an impossible task or so they thought?

Through Romance Academies across the UK it has become clear that issues of sexual intimacy and identity act as a doorway for young people into all other areas of their lives. What those who have taken part in the project have learned has therefore stretched far beyond sexual health awareness. Young people have been given a safe space for exploring, challenging and trying out new ideas and attitudes and ultimately developing values and skills that they can take into the whole of their life. This approach focuses on developing young people’s character and emotional resilience.

Wirral Youth for Christ are now running their second Romance Academy in partnership with the original team.

If you would like to be part of a Romance Academy or your church would like us to run one with you please do get in touch.