FRYP was developed by the NewISH (Newham Interfaith Sexual Health) Forum, which began its work in 2008. NewISH consisted of service providers, education professionals, local council representatives, and faith and voluntary groups.
NewISH has since been disbanded but the work of FRYP continues under the management of Alternatives Trust East London.
The site is split into three sections: Young People, Faith Communities and Professionals. Each section has a different set of aims:
Young People:
- Empower young people to make intelligent and spiritually sensitive choices
- To provide information and support around relationships and sex
- Answering questions that young people have
Faith Communities:
- Bridge the gap between adults and young people
- Help faith communities better understand the pressures young people face
- To equip faith communities to provide the support young people need
Professionals:
- To help professionals understand the role faith plays in young people's lives
- Bridge the gap between adults and young people
- To provide information to help professionals teach relationship and sex education in a faith sensitive way
Relationship and sex education generally tends to be focused on "safer sex," usually not even presenting abstinence as an option. This puts young people of faith into a very difficult position. If they are seeking to only have sex within marriage, they are at times seen by health professionals as naïve. They then can be accused of being frigid by their peers. Neither of which is true, but can leave them feeling very confused and isolated.
Unfortunately, Faith Leaders and parents often shy away from talking and instead say "It's simple - just don't do it". This is a rather simplistic approach and demonstrates a lack of understanding. Young people need answers to their questions that are informative, yet sensitive and supportive of their faith or belief system.
FRYP seeks to be a sensitive and supportive place where young people can find information and have their questions answered. FRYP seeks to be a place where they are encouraged and empowered to make intelligent and informed decisions about who they are, what they believe and what they want for their life of faith.
FRYP was developed by the NewISH (Newham Interfaith Sexual Health) Forum, which began its work in 2008. NewISH consisted of service providers, education professionals, local council representatives, and faith and voluntary groups.
NewISH has since been disbanded but the work of FRYP continues under the management of Alternatives Trust East London.
The site is split into three sections: Young People, Faith Communities and Professionals. The aim of the Faith Communities and Professionals sections is to help bridge the gap between adults and young people, to enable them to better understand the pressures young people are dealing with, and to empower faith communities and professionals to give young people the support they need.
Relationship and sex education generally tends to be focused on "safer sex," usually not even presenting abstinence as an option. This puts young people of faith into a very difficult position. If they are seeking to only have sex within marriage, they are at times seen by health professionals as naïve. They then can be accused of being frigid by their peers. Neither of which is true, but can leave them feeling very confused and isolated.
Unfortunately, Faith Leaders and parents often shy away from talking and instead say "It's simple - just don't do it". This is a rather simplistic approach and demonstrates a lack of understanding. Young people need answers to their questions that are informative, yet sensitive and supportive of their faith or belief system.
FRYP seeks to be a sensitive and supportive place where young people can find information and have their questions answered. FRYP seeks to be a place where they are encouraged and empowered to make intelligent and informed decisions about who they are, what they believe and what they want for their life of faith.
