Resource Pack: Healthy Relationships & Communication
Romantic relationships can be exciting and fulfilling, but they also come with challenges. Understanding how to communicate effectively, respect boundaries, and recognise both healthy and unhealthy behaviours is essential for building a positive and supportive connection with a partner.
From spotting toxic behaviours to handling breakups and rejection, this pack covers the emotional side of romantic relationships that textbooks often overlook. It helps students explore the complexities of intimacy, consent, trust, and communication, providing the tools needed to create healthy, balanced relationships.
By reflecting on their own experiences and learning how to set and respect boundaries, students will gain the confidence to navigate romantic relationships with clarity, understanding, and mutual respect - ensuring they build connections that are supportive, empowering, and safe.
Preview
Watch a preview of 'Not all abuse is physical’ - a video designed to help learners of all ages recognise unhealthy behaviours in relationships.
In this video, we explore the hidden side of abusive relationships - emotional and psychological abuse. While many associate abuse with physical violence, things like manipulation, humiliation, and gaslighting can be just as damaging.
The tricky part? These behaviors are often subtle, making them hard to spot at first, but their long-term effects on self-esteem and mental health can be devastating.
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For all Key Stages 3-5
In this video, Nate explores the tough emotions that come with asking someone out and getting rejected. It dives into the vulnerability and self-doubt that can follow, reminding you that it’s okay to feel hurt.
It also offers advice on handling rejection gracefully, staying respectful, and finding support from friends or family. While it’s tough, the video encourages you to remember that rejection doesn’t define your worth, and there’s always hope for future connections.
In this video, Aisha dives into the concept of love languages and how they can influence the way we apologise and forgive in relationships.
We often think of apologies as verbal expressions like “I’m sorry” or “I forgive you,” but what if our actions speak louder than words?
This video encourages open communication about how we give and receive apologies, which can help students navigate misunderstandings in both romantic and non-romantic relationships.
Your love language isn’t just a way to show affection – it can reveal what hurts the most, what you fear, and where you might feel most vulnerable in relationships.
In this video, Sam explores how love languages can uncover those sensitive spots in our hearts. By learning about what makes us feel vulnerable, we can start to communicate better, set healthier boundaries, and nurture relationships in a way that makes us feel truly seen and heard.
For Key Stage 3
Trust is the foundation of all relationships, but how do we really build it? Is it a solid anchor that keeps you grounded in the tough times? A steady tree that grows with time and care?
In this video, Sunny explores trust through the metaphor of a trust tree – one that starts with a small seed and grows stronger with each kind gesture and meaningful conversation. But just like any tree, trust can be damaged or cut down in an instant.
In this video, Evie encourages young people to pay attention not just to the words someone says, but also to their body language, tone, and facial expressions, which can sometimes convey a different message.
It’s a useful resource for exploring healthy relationships and teaching students how to recognise and respond to both verbal and nonverbal cues in a respectful way!
Disagreements are a normal part of any healthy relationship, but how you handle them can make all the difference.
This video by Sunny explores how to deal with disagreements in a positive, constructive way, focusing on clear communication and setting boundaries to avoid unnecessary conflict. It's important to approach disagreements with empathy and understanding, ensuring that both sides are heard and respected.
For Key Stages 3 and 4
Gender roles have evolved significantly over time, but their influence on young people’s relationships remains.
While students today may feel they have more freedom in how they express themselves, many traditional expectations still linger - sometimes without them even realising it.
This video by Aisha encourages students to critically examine gender roles in relationships.
How do young people recognise the signs of emotional abuse in relationships? It’s not always obvious, and it can happen to anyone.
This video by Sunny presents a scenario to help students identify unhealthy relationship behaviours, from controlling actions to put-downs and isolation. By exploring these warning signs, students can reflect on what a healthy relationship should look like and where to seek help if they or someone they know is in a harmful situation.
Building strong relationships starts with understanding how people express and receive love.
This video by Sam introduces students to the concept of love languages, helping them recognise different ways people show affection and appreciation. Students can gain insight into their own emotional needs and those of others. This knowledge fosters empathy, improves communication, and helps young people navigate relationships more thoughtfully.
For Key Stages 4 and 5
In this video, Sunny explores the signs of emotional abuse in relationships, helping students recognise when a relationship is no longer healthy.
It encourages students to reflect on their own experiences and understand that they deserve to feel safe, valued, and respected in all relationships.
Use this video to open up conversations about healthy relationships, red flags, and the importance of seeking help when needed.
Would your students recognise the warning signs of an unhealthy relationship? What would they do if a friend was in one?
This video by Evie presents a real-world scenario to help students identify key red flags - such as isolation, controlling behaviour, and manipulation - while also addressing the legal implications of age gaps in relationships.
Encouraging open discussions about these issues can help young people understand their rights, set boundaries, and support their peers.
How do young people define romantic intimacy? Do they recognise the small, everyday moments that build strong, meaningful relationships?
This video by Matt breaks down the science of intimacy in a fun, engaging way - exploring the hormones behind connection while highlighting practical ways to strengthen relationships through compliments, thoughtfulness, and quality time. It encourages students to reflect on how effort and appreciation are key in healthy relationships.
For Key Stage 5
This video by Nate helps students develop healthy communication skills in relationships by teaching them how to bring up difficult topics with kindness and clarity.
It introduces practical strategies to navigate tough conversations without conflict, reinforcing that good communication involves both speaking and listening.
This video by Lola covers an important topic: physical abuse in relationships. It encourages students to think critically about why violence is never acceptable and what to do if they or someone they know experiences it.
Some students may find this topic difficult, so ensure they know who they can talk to if they need support after watching.
This video by Sanjee explores how to support a friend who may be in an unhealthy relationship. It encourages students to consider how they would approach a difficult conversation and reassures them that offering support can make a difference.
Some students may find this topic sensitive, so remind them that they can speak to a trusted adult if they need to.