The lives of teenagers are a battleground for sexual pressures and political agendas. Mike Farrington interviewed Romance Academy, who are raising up a new voice.

'I am an atheist, but I think what you're doing is amazing'

As for the Romance Academy team themselves, where does their own motivation stem from?

Dan and Rachel, who starred on the BBC series, are both youth workers who are committed Christians, but they work predominantly with young people who don't claim a Christian faith. Dan explained his approach:
"Yes the thing that drives my engine is God. But in no way does every conversation have to revolve around God. I believe the good news of God and the good news of Jesus is good news. If they ask the questions, then they often do receive it themselves."

Interestingly, at a conference which Romance Academy held recently in London to equip others around the country to use their model, one of the attendees told them:
'I am an atheist, but I think what you're doing is amazing. I want to give this hope that young people don't have to have sex for the wrong reasons, to as many young people as possible.'

'It seems to have hit the nerve for England'

The London conference was in fact one way in which Romance Academy is trying to respond to the massive public response there has been to the BBC series, and they have another one lined up for Birmingham on Saturday 18th February. As overwhelmed as anyone by the feedback, Dan said,

"It seems to have hit the nerve for England.

It's amazing how in different areas it's working in different ways. Some people are really connecting with the Council. They've taken it to the Council, who have looked through all the stuff and they're actually really excited. The Council are partnering up with that group to run this.

Something that has helped a lot is the amount of people that emailed not just us but the Government or the BBC, saying how much they want to see programmes like this. We don't just see young people in a negative light. We don't just see young people walking around the streets with their hoods up. We see young people that have got so much to give to life, and so much that we can learn from as well.

Our young people in England, they're inspirational. I believe that they're more passionate about things than a lot of other generations. The only thing is we haven't really utilised that passion. If we can get that passion, and we can aim it in the right direction, they are an amazing culture. And that's what I have a passion to see, that we really show that side of the youth culture."`

You can find out more about Romance Academy, including their forthcoming conference in Birmingham, on their website

To hear Mikes interview with Dan from the Romance Academy, please visit the Cross Rhythms Soundroom