Our Story
Our story started in South East London, where Vicki Barsby, an English teacher, embarked on a mission to reshape Relationships Education.
In 2021, shortly after "Everyone's Invited" had gripped the headlines, Vicki's school received an open letter penned by former students, sharing their experiences of sexism and misogyny during their school years. In response, Vicki initiated a school-wide 'Listening Project' to better understand the students’ experiences.
Vicki interviewed as many students as she could, keen to understand their perspectives on the school's Relationships Education provision. She was heartened to find that students were well-informed about the physical aspects of sexual interactions and hugely complimentary about the Sex Ed provision they’d received. However, students of all ages yearned for something more: a deeper understanding of emotions and how to navigate the complexities of 'adult' emotional relationships, especially when they went awry.
Crucially, these students were united in their desire not to be spoken 'at,' or to endure more assemblies and visiting speakers. They craved a different, more engaging approach to Relationships Education, one that would resonate on a practical level.
So, Vicki embarked on a journey to develop an approach that felt distinct from the lessons she and her students had experienced thus far – an approach that would place the practical development of relational skills at its very core.
Out of this vision, our first game, Life Story, was born and trialled, swiftly followed by School Story and Love Story. In May 2023, our innovative approach to relationships education led to the shortlisting of our games for the TES Award for Pupil Mental Health Initiative of the Year.
Our story is one of empathy, understanding, and a drive to make a real difference in the lives of students. These games are more than just tools; they reflect a dedication to education that goes beyond the classroom, fostering emotional intelligence and practical life skills that will serve students throughout their lives. We hope you will join us in our mission to share these games with as many students as possible.