ToughLove - Coercive & Controlling Behaviour (Year 9+)
Give your students the language, confidence, and support pathways to recognise unhealthy relationships early.
An exciting new teaching resource from 'Narrative Alchemy's '2 Pears Films' project, and The Hollie Gazzard Trust. ToughLove combines film and guided lessons to help staff lead confident, impactful discussions on relationships and reinforce their school’s Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) commitments.
For only £240 inc. VAT (£200 exc. VAT), your school gets 12 months unlimited access to the ToughLove film and complete resource pack. You can renew each year if useful, and 20% of every subscription goes directly to The Hollie Gazzard Trust, supporting their vital work in preventing domestic abuse, raising awareness in schools, and providing help and resources for those at risk.
Check out the trailer...
"The film and resource really captured our students’ attention in a way that a talk or power-point never could. The discussions that followed were some of the most honest and engaged we’ve had in PSHE.”
PSHE Lead, Secondary School
Flexible Delivery
ToughLove has been designed as a six-lesson learning journey, guiding students step by step through the story of Becka and Daniel to explore the development and impact of coercive control.
Delivering the resource across six lessons gives students time to reflect, process, and build understanding gradually and this remains the recommended format.
That said, we understand that every school works differently. It is completely possible to adapt the resource for shorter delivery windows, from an extended PSHE lesson to a drop-down morning or full-day event. You know your learners and timetable best, so feel free to cherry-pick or combine elements from the six lessons to suit your setting while keeping the core learning outcomes intact.
For example:
• Extended lesson (90 mins): Combine Lessons 1 & 2 to introduce healthy and unhealthy relationships, then watch and discuss the film.
• Half-day session: Deliver Lessons 1–3 together to follow the full story arc, ending with a discussion on early warning signs.
• Whole-day event: Use Lessons 1–6 as themed workshop blocks, weaving in role-play activities and creative reflection.
We always recommend delivering ToughLove in its full six-lesson format wherever possible. This is a sensitive and complex issue that affects many young people, and it deserves the time and attention the resource was designed for. That said, we know that flexibility is key and we’re confident that, whichever approach you take, your expertise will ensure the material has real impact.
Why Story?
Stories create awareness and drive change because they move us beyond information into lived experience. By engaging both the head and the heart, narrative makes complex issues relatable, memorable, and actionable - helping young people not just to understand, but to care and respond.
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Story makes it real – abstract concepts like coercive control become tangible when seen through the eyes of relatable characters.
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Story builds empathy – by inviting students to step into another’s perspective, it fosters emotional connection and deeper understanding.
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Story drives reflection and action – when paired with structured classroom resources, stories don’t just raise awareness; they inspire dialogue, shift attitudes, and lay the groundwork for lasting change.
Why Trust Us?
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This resource was created through the partnership of Narrative Alchemy and The Hollie Gazzard Trust - combining issue-based storytelling expertise with safeguarding experience.
Narrative Alchemy Limited
Narrative Alchemy is a UK-based organisation dedicated to using film, storytelling, and education to tackle complex social issues affecting young people. Through impactful films, applied theatre, workshops, and digital learning resources, we create engaging, research-backed content that helps schools, educators, and communities address critical topics such as County Lines, Child Sexual Exploitation, Domestic Abuse & Coercive Control, and Knife Crime.
Beyond working with schools, colleges, and universities, we collaborate with the NHS, MoD, police forces, and social services, providing effective intervention tools to safeguard young people. Our work extends across the UK and internationally, partnering with educators, safeguarding professionals, and policymakers to develop solutions that spark conversations, build resilience, and drive real change - ensuring young people are equipped with the knowledge and confidence to make safe, informed choices.
The Hollie Gazzard Trust
Founded in memory of Hollie Gazzard, the Trust works tirelessly to prevent domestic abuse and support young people at risk. As a nationally respected charity, it delivers education, awareness campaigns, and practical tools such as the Hollie Guard personal safety app, which has been widely adopted across the UK. Bringing survivor-led insight and safeguarding expertise, the Trust ensures that every resource it develops is sensitive, credible, and effective—giving schools confidence that the material they are using is grounded in both compassion and real-world impact.
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