August 2026 Cover Story
Let’s Talk Relationships this August!
On the cover this month are get2gether members who attended our in-person Let’s Talk About Sex event at one of Crew2000’s regular drop-ins in May. Hosted by Ambassador Natalie, the session brought members together to talk openly about sex, relationships and sexual health.
Talking about sex and relationships can help us understand ourselves, connect with others and make informed choices about our own lives. But these conversations are not always easy to start. Across the get2gether community, members are having these conversations in different ways, sharing experiences and asking important questions. For our August cover story, we spoke to members about their experiences and why having opportunities to talk openly about relationships matters.
“Talking about sex and relationships helps people stay safe and shows them they don’t need to feel embarrassed or ashamed.”
Since June 2020, we’ve been having conversations around everything from masturbation, pleasure, boundaries, consent, touch and initiating conversations with people in your life about your access to sex and sexual identity. Let’s Talk About Sex (LTAS) events are a non-judgemental and safe space where get2gether members can talk openly, bringing their own questions and perspectives into the conversation.
“Let’s Talk About Sex is for everyone. It’s not just about sex. It’s about connecting with each other, healthy relationships and understanding boundaries.”- get2gether member
Throughout the year, LTAS runs in different ways, including a 6 week online course, one-off online sessions and in-person events in partnership with Crew2000 and Chalmers Sexual Health Centre. Each session offers something different, but all are shaped by the members involved. Peer mentors support the delivery of the courses and help shape conversations by bringing their own experiences, listening to others and helping create a space where members feel comfortable taking part. get2gether Ambassador Natalie first joined LTAS as a member before becoming a peer mentor. Having experienced going along to the events themself, Natalie understands what it feels like to join these conversations for the first time and uses their own experiences to help others feel welcome. Natalie told us that seeing people become more relaxed and comfortable having these conversations is one of the best parts about being a peer mentor on the courses!
“A lot of people have been left out of these conversations and haven’t had access to the information and education they should have. Talking about sex and relationships helps people stay safe and shows them they don’t need to feel embarrassed or ashamed.”- Ambassador, Natalie
Between 2020 and 2025, 12 courses took place, with an average of 11 members attending each course, showing the continued interest and need for these conversations!
“I realised I wasn’t the only one feeling that way”
Across the get2gether community, members are continuing conversations about sex and relationships within and outside of get2gether. All of the members we spoke to said hearing from others helped them fee more confident talking about these topics that are an important part of adult life.
“I felt really alone when I first joined, but hearing other people talk about their experiences, I realised I wasn’t the only one feeling that way and that I wasn’t the only person with questions I didn’t know the answers to yet.”- get2gether member
Starting conversations about sex and relationships can sometimes be difficult, especially when you have not been included in spaces where these topics can be discussed openly, but it was clear talking to members who are having these conversations that having access to these spaces is the best way to grow confidence in when it comes to relationships.
“I was a bit nervous when I first joined and didn’t know if I would feel comfortable asking questions about sex and relationships, but now I don’t feel shy.”- get2gether member
One get2gether member we spoke to also shared how having these conversations openly helped take away some of the stigma around talking about sex and relationships:
“After a while, talking about these things stops feeling so scary. Getting it out in the open means you’re not keeping things to yourself. Everything feels better when you can talk about it.”- get2gether member
“Talking about sex and relationships gave me the tools and confidence to ask questions and understand what I needed.”
Sex, relationships and friendship are a part of adult life. Too often, adults with disabilities do not have equal opportunities or the support to access conversations about sex, relationships and sexual health. Everyone has the right to information that is clear and accessible. Having the right information is vital to allow people to make their own choices and have more control over their lives. Something that unsurprisingly, was echoed by the members we spoke to today.
“I didn’t learn enough in school. LTAS helped me learn the things I wanted to know and gave me a space where I could ask questions.”- get2gether member
“Talking about sex and relationships with get2gether gave me the tools and confidence to ask questions and understand what I needed. It helped me get the right medication for myself and feel more confident making choices about my own health.”- get2gether member
One member we spoke to for this blog shared how talking about relationships, dating and boundaries helped them feel more confident and prepared when they took part in the Learning to Date event.
“Talking about things first made things a lot easier for me going into the practice dates at the Learning to Date event, I felt I knew what I needed to know to approach it in the right way.”- get2gether member
What’s next?
These conversations are not finished. They are continuing to grow, evolve and reach new people. We are proud of the community that has formed through Let’s Talk About Sex and the way members continue to keep these conversations going outside of get2gether events! We are also excited to be returning to Crew2000 this August for another in-person Let’s Talk About Sex event. Check your August Community Magazine for full details or contact office@get2gether.org.uk to find out more. You can learn more about sexual health, accessing support and what to expect when visiting a sexual health centre in our blog with Chalmers by clicking HERE.
Not a member yet? get2gether is a membership organisation for adults with disabilities in Edinburgh and the Lothians. Click HERE to fill out our membership application form, or email office@get2gether.org.uk for more information about joining the get2gether community!