HSIS Launches “Is This Love?” Campaign

As Valentine’s Day approaches, messages about love and relationships are increasingly visible across social media, advertising, and popular culture. While this period can be positive for some young people, HSIS Youth Workers report that it can also amplify confusion, pressure, and unhealthy expectations around relationships for others.

Starting next Monday, HSIS is launching its Is This Love? campaign across schools and colleges in Wirral. Running in the lead-up to Valentine’s Day, the campaign aims to raise awareness of healthy relationships, challenge harmful attitudes, and ensure young people have access to the support they need to feel safe, respected, and valued.

Concerns Raised by Young People

Through ongoing school-based work and youth support services, HSIS youth workers continue to hear concerns from young people, including:

• Uncertainty about what is considered “normal” behaviour in relationships

• Pressure from peers and social media to conform to unrealistic expectations

• Misogynistic attitudes influencing how young people believe they should act or be treated

• Difficulties identifying early signs of unhealthy or controlling behaviour

These concerns highlight the importance of creating safe spaces where young people can speak openly, build confidence, and develop a clear understanding of personal boundaries.

Activities Taking Place Across Wirral

From next Monday, HSIS youth workers will be delivering activities, workshops, and informal drop-in sessions in schools and colleges across Wirral. These sessions will focus on:

• Promoting positive and healthy relationship behaviours

• Challenging misogyny and other harmful social norms

• Increasing awareness of consent, respect, and emotional wellbeing

• Encouraging young people to seek support if something doesn’t feel right

The campaign invites young people to reflect on the question, “Is this love?” and to recognise what healthy, safe, and supportive relationships should look like.

Support from Local Partners

HSIS is encouraging partner organisations and education settings to help amplify the campaign’s messages by sharing materials and signposting young people to available support. Campaign resources, including digital screen presentations and shareable images, have been made available for use across settings.

HSIS has thanked its partners for their continued collaboration and commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people across Wirral.