Women’s Aid Launches Healthy Relationships Programme for All Primary Schools

St Colmcille Primary School, Ballymena has joined with Women’s Aid ABCLN to launch a new ‘Heading For Healthy Relationships’ preventative education programme equipping Year-7 pupils in all primary schools across Mid and East Antrim with the knowledge and skills to have healthy, respectful relationships.

Funded by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Change Fund, the programme explores the dynamics of healthy relationships for young people, challenging harmful attitudes and beliefs and empowering young people to make informed choices and be safe.

Speaking at the launch Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford said ““I am delighted to support this work that is available to all primary schools across our Borough.  It is great to see Women’s Aid leading the way on this issue and working with us, in trying to change societal attitudes to violence against women and girls.  It is so important that we collaborate to deliver this work and in particular create the opportunities to positively influence the lives of our young people”.

Women’s Aid ABCLN CEO, Gillian Creevy said “We are committed to deliver our transformative Heading for Healthy Relationships programme to Year-7 pupils in all primary schools across Mid and East Antrim. Will your school join us?”

“The Heading for Healthy Relationships programme is available this Autumn for all primary schools, and sessions can be booked today at no cost.”

Facilitated by Women’s Aid ABCLN's Domestic Abuse Specialists, Heading for Healthy Relationships addresses the need for preventative education in schools. It is fully aligned to the curriculum and has been developed in collaboration with young people, based on their experiences of the issues faced.

Women’s Aid ABCLN works with schools to recognise and respond to domestic abuse and last year supported 335 children and young people living with domestic abuse across Antrim, Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Larne and Newtownabbey.

St Colmcille's Primary School Principal, Henry Walls said “Our school has registered to take part in the Heading For Healthy Relationships programme, as we want all young people in our care to know any type of violence, abuse or harm in relationships is never acceptable.”

For more information and to register your school for the Heading For Healthy Relationships programme you can call 028 25 632136, email events@womensaidabcln.org or go to www.womens-aid.org.uk/children/support-in-schools

Please note Heading For Healthy Relationships Primary School programme is also available for ALL schools across Antrim and Newtownabbey supported by Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council Ending Violence Against Women and Girls Change Fund. Click here for more details and to register your school.