Being able to live in your skin is one of the greatest things we can do as human beings.
For disabled people, sex and sex education remains a taboo subject. The team at To Be Frank, are working to change that.
At To Be Frank we believe that everyone, regardless of their abilities, has the right to explore and express their gender and sexuality, have healthy, respectful and safe relationships, learn lessons from life’s experience and control decisions which affect their sexual health and relationships.
We strive to improve access to sexual health and healthy relationships for disabled people by offering them support, advice, and education, in a safe and comfortable environment.
We also help to empower and build knowledge and capacity in support agencies, professionals, support workers and whanau so that they can appropriately support the sexual needs of disabled people.
Education
Information is power – it’s not that hard to talk, draw, paint, act out or do whatever it takes to give people the key information they have a right to know.
To understand and enjoy sexuality, everyone needs adequate advice, information and support. Our education sessions provide a safe space to ask vulnerable questions in a relaxed, non judgemental setting.
Most of our education sessions are designed for disabled people and perhaps their whanau. Sessions with our facilitators can either be one on one, as a couple or in a group.
Our conversations can be as explicit as you like and we won’t shy away from any topics you want to discuss. We also offer Walk and Talk sessions with one of Claire’s three horses, three donkeys and two ponies - It’s amazing how the horses can help facilitate conversation.
We also offer some custom designed sessions for support agencies, professionals and support workers that don’t want to do one of our standard workshops.
Workshops & Training
To understand and enjoy sexuality, everyone needs adequate advice, information and support.
Through our workshops and training we help to empower and build knowledge and capacity in support agencies, professionals, support workers and whanau.
We offer a range of workshops that are specifically aimed at different sectors, so they have the information they need to answer questions about sexuality and appropriately support the sexual needs of disabled people.
Our workshops cover topics such as sexuality, intimate care, policy and practice and accessing the sex industry.
We also run specific workshops for the family/whānau of people with disabilities and also safer living workshops for disabled people.
Speaking Opportunities
Disabled people should have the right to explore and express their gender and sexuality and should be allowed to have relationships based on consent and respect.
Firm believers that information is power, To Be Franksters: Claire, Carolyn & Etta, are passionate about spreading the message that all people have the right to explore and express their gender and sexuality. As a group, we believe in the importance of self determination and mana enhancing approaches to this mahi. We believe that tāngata whaikaha Māori and disabled people are no exception to this right and we will walk alongside whānau on this journey.