About us
Who we are
Sexpression:UK is a charity registered in England and Wales (1166559) and Scotland (SC047637) with the goal of empowering young people to make decisions about relationships and sex by running informal and comprehensive relationships and sex education workshops in the community. We take a ‘near-peer’ approach to these sessions which are facilitated by university students and as a charity we are entirely run by volunteers.
Founded in 2000 as a pilot study at University College London exploring the benefits of peer-led relationships and sex education, Sexpression:UK developed into a nationwide unincorporated association starting with the addition of a branch in Edinburgh. The organisation operated with no official structure until the attainment of Charitable Incorporated Organisation status in April 2016. Since then, Sexpression:UK has been governed by the Board of Trustees who delegate responsibility for the day-to-day management to an elected National Committee of student volunteers.
Sexpression:UK now works in 26 university towns and cities throughout the UK. Over 750 volunteers provide around 250 workshops and work with around 6000 young people each year. We provide sessions covering the full range of the new statutory RSE curriculum including bodily changes, sex and the media, sexual orientation and gender identity, healthy relationships and consent.
Sexpression:UK Vision and Values Vision
Sexpression:UK aims for a society in which young people are able to access reliable information about relationships, sex and sexuality; where youth are free from STIs, and unwanted pregnancy; and where they are empowered to make individual, informed decisions regarding their bodies and their health.
Values
Near-peer: Because university students are closer in age to the young people than their teachers and parents, our near-peer teaching encourages young people to participate.
Empowering: Young people's individual beliefs are respected, and our teaching helps young people to act on them. We also encourage young people to respect the beliefs of others.
Informal: Young people learn best and are more likely to make informed decisions about sex and relationships if they participate in discussions rather than being lectured.
Comprehensive: Young people should be informed about all aspects of their sexual and reproductive health.