Love Is…?

Young Birmingham volunteers highlight healthy relationships on Valentine’s Day.

Birmingham volunteering group Team v, will be highlighting the warning signs of abuse as many couples celebrate their relationships this Valentine’s Day.

The team, which is part of a national network of young volunteers run by youth charity vInspired, will be holding a stall event in Kings Heath village square to encourage local young people to challenge their understanding of what constitutes a healthy relationship. It is thought that 75% of girls and nearly 50% of boys have experienced some form of emotional of physical abuse from partners, but that 81% of those have never sought help.

Team v Birmingham will be running one of their pop-up event on Saturday 15th February 2014. Members of the public will be invited to a scale sliding activity, rating relationship statements on a scale of 1 to 5 (unacceptable to acceptable). The volunteers will be working with local support services to help young people find support if they need it.

Alan Tien, Team v Leader for Birmingham, says: “Abuse is an issue that affects people of all ages, but many people don’t recognise what is happening to them. And even fewer know they can find help. We hope this activity will open some people’s eyes and inspire them to seek help. Or just help people to think differently about future relationships. Working with local support services has shown us how many people are affected in our area and how vital their services are.