RSHE Conference Guest Speakers Announced.

RSHE Conference North-West, 2nd February 2026, Manchester

I am excited to share more details for this upcoming networking and training event which is packed with inspiring speakers, practical workshops, and opportunities for networking and Q&A

Spaces are filling up fast, so I encourage you to book your place now to avoid missing out. Book your place here.

Speaker Line Up

Emma Neville – This is Me

Menopause coach and campaigner Emma Neville will kick off the day providing delegates with a real and robust understanding of perimenopause and menopause as she shares her own story. Menopause and its impact on fertility, alongside other women’s health conditions, is now a key part of the compulsory secondary health education curriculum, not just because it affects “older women,” but because understanding the whole reproductive life course, from puberty to menopause, gives young people the knowledge they need to make informed choices about their own health and futures. Early education also helps to break stigma, and supports those who may experience premature menopause, equipping teens to better understand and support the people around them. We need to move away from telling teens this is simply about moody mums, dealing with hot flushes, and instead help them see it as a topic that can empower and support both their own health and their future family choices.

Laurie Elle – Social Media Influencer

With 4 million TikTok followers and hundreds of thousands of Instagram fans, Laurie is an ideal voice to share with us about life online lately!

An influencer who started sharing her photos and dance videos online aged just 14 and grew her following to go on and work with some of the biggest brands in the world, will be on hand to share her experience and some of the pitfalls and worrying developments including her own scary account of deepfakes and AI, working with brands and the dangers and risk as well as pointing educators in the right direction of where to sign post young people who may have seen harmful content online.

Why this matters.

1 in 4 teens in the UK have seen a sexualised deepfake of a celebrity, friend, teacher, or even themselves. Girlguiding

Over 40% of teenagers say images on social media cause worry about their body image. Mental Health Foundation

Dr Rhianna Netherton– Paediatrician & Founder of UniteHer

In the new 2026 update for RSHE, body literacy finally takes centre stage. The guidance now states that curriculum content should include the correct names of body parts: penis, vulva, vagina, testicles, scrotum and nipples. In the section on developing bodies, educators are also told to cover puberty and the menstrual cycle before onset, which for some children can begin as early as age 8.

At secondary level, the updates go even further. Teens will now learn about menstrual and gynaecological health, including what’s considered an average period, common problems such as premenstrual syndrome and heavy bleeding, and conditions like endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) alongside clear guidance on when to seek medical help. This matters, because research shows around 1 in 4 girls in the UK experience period problems serious enough to affect their education (Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists).

In this talk, Dr Netherton, founder of UniteHER an empowering project which connects girls with female professionals in the community & reduces violence against women & girls through sport & education, will answer your questions and build your confidence to see why these teaching moments matter so much from a health perspective. You’ll leave with the reassurance and confidence you need to deliver open, honest body and health education that really supports our children and young people.

We also have two Expert-led workshops, Getting To Grips with Sex! and Planning for age-appropriate RSHE! more info coming soon! As well as opportunities for live Q&A and networking.

Over 40 teachers, youth workers, school nurses and other practitioners working with children and young people attended the last conference, to learn, meet and share practice. And similar numbers are expected at this great 2026 event.

You’ll also get a great goody bag to take away to compliment your work in classroom and communities across the North-West.