Introduction

Welcome to the sexuality programme. Thirty-seven years ago, we began working in the area of sexuality with the clear intention of making it possible for information and personal awareness about sexuality to be available to the people who are most entitled to it - those of us who use it and want it in our personal lives. We wanted to make it possible for men and women to explore their sexuality as an integral part of themselves, rather than an isolated and disembodied part with little or no relationship to the rest of their lives. We knew it was important to be able to work in a safe and supportive atmosphere and hoped that knowing more about sexuality would lead to our knowing and feeling good about ourselves sexually.

In developing the sexuality programme as a team, we have kept these original goals as a constant and, over the years, we have played a part in helping hundreds of men and women in many countries feel more comfortable with their sexuality.

The sexuality programme was Spectrum’s first programme and was created by Jenner Roth.  It has stayed an essential part of our work and beliefs at Spectrum, as well as being instrumental in the formulation of the Spectrum Incest Intervention Project and of our own sexual ethics as an organisation. As a team, we are always looking at the programme to update it and keep it appropriate to the participants.

The team is made up of Spectrum staff members Paul Allsop, Maggie McKenzie, Oriel Methuen, and Spectrum practitioners Jim Handley and Lora Wignall.  Maggie is director of the programme.

The sexuality programme stays fresh and exciting because of the commitment of the participants and staff. We hope you, too, enjoy being part of it.