SCI-FI ADVENTURE SERIES ‘THE REZ’ BECOMES FIRST PODCAST ACCREDITED FOR TEACHING IN SCHOOLS

Podcast and built-in comic book helping to teach kindness in the classroom
Accredited PSHE learning resources accompanying The Rez support teachers to deliver lessons on resilience and mental wellbeing
Supported by Anti-Bullying Alliance with new episodes incorporating anti-bullying released
Informed by the latest research from University of Sussex’s ‘Professor of Kindness’, Rob Banerjee

Teachers across the UK are tapping into an award-winning mental health podcast that is helping children learn about kindness and resilience in the classroom.

The REZ is a sci-fi adventure for Key Stage 2 told through a podcast, a comic book and a game-based website designed to provide young people with useful resources for their transition into teen years.

Informed by the latest research from University of Sussex psychologists and social workers, the accompanying classroom resources recently gained ground-breaking accreditation from the PSHE Association, allowing its use in schools as part of the personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) curriculum.

Set in a distant future, The REZ features two teenage friends, Preen and Sav, who try to outsmart the wicked AI (JEF) that runs their world. Sav, a geeky outcast, teams up with Preen, a one-time mega-influencer now trying to make good, when they start to wonder if they’re missing something from their seemingly perfect world: simple human kindness.

When Sav discovers a mobile phone in a pile of old technology, she realises she can use it to contact ‘Pastlings’– the children of the 2020s. Together, Sav and Preen find themselves reaching back to the kids of today for help building meaningful relationships.

Since receiving PSHE accreditation last month, there have been hundreds of schools enquiring about integrating the podcast into their lessons and more than 1500 comics have been distributed, with a second print run now planned in order to meet demand.

Schools can also access the digital teaching resource pack through the website at jointherez.com. It includes two lesson plans exploring the importance of kindness and its contribution to good mental health, as well as a mind map focussing on what being mentally healthy means, along with games and puzzle activity templates.

There is also an interactive game-based area on the website where children can leave messages for the characters enabling them to influence their storylines, and where they can take the ‘kindness challenge’.

The REZ is the brainchild of multi-award winning audio producer and University of Brighton senior lecturer, Lance Dann, and Prof Martin Spinelli, a best-selling author, award-winning radio producer, journalist and youth media expert who is also the UK’s first Professor of Podcasting at the University of Sussex.

They wanted to create something which would have a positive impact on the mental health of young people, made all the more timely when Covid-19 lockdowns triggered a mental health crisis for millions.

The podcast has since won numerous awards and been downloaded 150,000 times, with 10 new episodes and a second comic launching this month.

Prof Spinelli says: “The REZ captures the imagination of young people because of its dynamic storytelling, immersive characters and the fact it is a laugh out loud balm for today’s kids. We really focused on what children themselves wanted, carrying out lots of workshops within schools and allowing them to suggest characters and storylines. The result is a great vehicle to assist teachers in the sometimes difficult task of discussing mental health, allowing them to address serious issues but in a fun and subtle way.”

The REZ is written by an all-female team led by former comic laureate, Hannah Berry. It is supported by child psychologist and ‘Professor of Kindness’, Robin Banerjee from the University of Sussex. A world authority on kindness and mental health, he led the BBC’s Kindness Project and has carried out research into how young people's mental health can be harmed or helped by subtle messages hidden in the media.

The Anti-Bullying Alliance has also lent its support to The REZ. Martha Evans, Director of The Anti-Bulling Alliance, says: “Our research shows that unfortunately a significant proportion of children are frequently on the receiving end of bullying behaviours. Developing empathy and encouraging kindness can make a big difference when it comes to bullying, so resources that support teachers to bring this into their classroom are extremely valuable.”

For more information about The Rez and accompanying teaching resources visit jointherez.com or watch the trailer HERE

The Rez is produced by Rezlience Limited and funded by Arts Council England with the support of the University of Brighton and the University of Sussex. The podcast is distributed by Gen Z Media/Wondery Kids.