STIQ Day has been launched to get people thinking about their sexual health and encourage more people to get regular sexual health checks. No one likes to think they've caught a sexually transmitted infection (STI) If you have had or are having sex then without a test you just can't be sure you haven't picked one up.
This year STIQ Day takes place on 14th January, a date chosen because many common STIs such as Chlamydia can take two weeks to be detectable. If your festive season included unprotected sex then you should be thinking about getting tested now. Also with just one month to go before Valentine's Day anyone hoping to enjoy the celebrations to the full should do so knowing that they are infection free and will not be putting someone else's sexual health in danger.
More and more people in the UK are catching STIs and each year the infection rate is rising. Regardless of how old you are, if you're gay or straight, if you've had one or more partner - just one unprotected sexual encounter could have put you at risk of catching an STI. Don't forget you can also pick up many of the STIs through oral sex.
Even if you feel perfectly healthy you could still be carrying something. Often getting routinely tested is the only way that people can detect an infection - and the earlier they are tested and treated, the less chance there is of long-term damage being caused.
This December the Contraceptive and Sexual Health Clinics in the county are encouraging young people to do a Chlamydia test. You may already know about the Chlamydia screening programme, however if you don't check out the Chlamydia / Sti's tab above.
If you do a test in December the CASH clinics will give a free pair of socks with the wording 'Put a sock on it'. Which reminds you that the only way to protect against an STI like chlamydia is using condoms which they can also supply free.
Follow the safe sex tips and avoid a Christmas crisis
Somerset young party-goers are being urged to remember to take precautions and practice safe sex during the festive season and plan ahead to avoid a crisis at Christmas.
The warning comes after the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) announced yesterday (07 December 2011) that women could order emergency contraception by post in advance of the Christmas party season.
The Christmas and New Year period is seen by sexual health charities as a high-risk period for both unwanted pregnancy and sexual infections.
Last Christmas Marie Stopes International showed that nearly a quarter of women aged between 16 and 24 have had unprotected sex after drinking too much alcohol. The poll of 503 women also showed that four in 10 have used the morning after pill at least once as emergency contraception.
Andrew Wilson, Somerset's sexual health adviser at NHS Somerset said: 'Emergency contraception is just for emergencies and you shouldn't rely on it as a regular contraceptive method. There are a wide variety of methods available today and our local Contraceptive and Sexual Health Services can support women to find a method that best suits them'.
'Help is available in Somerset over the festive bank holidays at the Yeovil Health Centre (8am to 8pm above Boots) and our community hospital Minor Injury Units can provide emergency contraception when other regular services are closed'.
'We encourage people to be responsible and make sure they are prepared. That means having some condoms on them when they go out - even if they they don't intend to have any sexual relationship. Alcohol influences the way we think and behave and all too is a major factor leading to many unwanted pregnancies over Christmas'.
Andrew added: 'We want people to enjoy themselves but not feel pressurised to have sex. Drinking lots of alcohol will make things worse. The truth is most 16 year olds haven't had sex (even if they say they have) and the majority of young people who had sex at a younger age wished they had waited'.
Anyone under 25 can obtain free condoms through the Somerset C-Card scheme. For more details check the C-Card tab above on this site
For help with emergency contraception over Christmas and New Year Holiday check out:
NHS Direct can provide confidential advice, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on telephone 0800 46 47 (www.nhs.uk)
The Yeovil Health Centre (above Boots) is open 365 days a year from 8am to 8pm, no appointment is necessary - (www.yeovilhealthcentre.nhs.uk)
Somerset's community hospital Minor Injury Units at: Minehead, Bridgwater, Burnham-on-Sea, West Mendip Hospital (nr Glastonbury),Shepton Mallet, Frome and Chard.
For opening times call NHS Direct (0845 46 47) go online to: (www.nhs.uk)
To speak to someone in confidence about contraception or sexual health matters call the Young Peoples&rsquo National Confidential Helpline on 0800 28 29 30.
What do you know about HIV?
Do you believe a fish pedicure can give you AIDS? Do you believe AIDS is only an African epidemic or only affects gay men? If so, then like many other people you need to check the facts about HIV and AIDS, which is still spreading in the UK and as yet there is still no cure.
According to the Health Protection Agency report 'HIV in the UK' published this week a quarter of the 91,500 people in the UK who now have the disease are unaware of their infection.
Somerset has a much lower level of HIV, but there are currently 150 people living with the virus and at least 38 per cent of these acquired the virus heterosexually and 50 per cent are men who have had sex with men.
This week, ahead of World Aids Day on the 1st December, which encourages people to learn the facts about HIV and put their knowledge into practice, sexual health advisers in Somerset will hand out 'HIV Aware' questionnaires and fact sheets to young people in schools and colleges hoping to increase their awareness and dispell myths about the virus.
Andrew Wilson, Sexual Health Adviser at NHS Somerset says: 'If you understand how HIV is transmitted, how it can be prevented, and the reality of living with HIV today then you can use this knowledge to take care of your own health and the health of others'.
The most important thing to remember is you can only become infected with HIV if you have sex without a condom, share a needle or injecting material. If you are worried you have put yourself at risk then it is advisable to get an HIV test because the sooner you get treated the better your health outcome will be. Check out www.hivaware.org.uk
Have your say about SRE
Brook believes that every young person in Britain deserves sex and relationships education (SRE) that is relevant to them, focuses on relationships as well as sex, honest about human sexuality and taught by professionals who are well prepared and confident.
But sadly, that's just not the reality in the UK today. SRE teaching varies widely, with no consistent standards. Teachers are often not given any special training or preparation in the subject. Young people say they don't learn enough about emotions and relationships. And the classes can be infrequent or in some cases nonexistent.
Sadly, 80% of young people say they have no voice in what they learn about sex and relationships.
It's not good enough. Sex and relationships are a life skill, as important to our future health and happiness as any other subject, and young people deserve to be heard.
We have a chance to make sure our voices do get heard. Right now, the government is running a review of its PSHE Education, so there's a real opportunity to make sure the views of young people are heard loud and clear.
Don't let Westminster make decisions about the future of SRE without speaking up! Please sign our petition today, to demand 21st Century Sex and Relationships Education.
Freshers' Fayre's
As young people start at college sexual health advisers from NHS Somerset, Targeted Youth Support staff and nurses from our Contraceptive and Sexual Health clinics will be visiting the county's colleges to give information about sexual health services as well as the county's C-Card, a scheme that provides free condoms to young people. They will also be reminding young people about this website designed for them which includes lots of information and advise around sex and relationships. Its great you are reading this and we hope you check out other areas too.
We need you!
Tell is what you think of the Chlamydia screening programme. Brook (a young people's sexual health organisation) is inviting young people to take part in a survey that will tell the NHS what you think of the way Chlamydia screening should be carried out for young people.
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can affect anyone who has had unprotected sex with someone else. You can find out more here about chlamydia, its symptoms and what you should do if you are worried about it.
Over the last few years, the NHS has run a community chlamydia testing programme. You may well have been offered a Chlamydia test, either in person or by letter or online. Now the NHS would like to know what you thought of the service you were offered, and how you might change it in the future. They'd also like to know whether you have any thoughts on what the services should be called and how it should be promoted to you.
If you click on the link below, you will be taken to a survey with a number of questions about your experiences of chlamydia screening and your views about it in the future. Although we will use your answers to plan services in the future, your answers will be anonymous, and nobody will be able to trace your answers back to you.
Over the summer the Chlamydia Screening Programme continues to encourage any young person between fifteen and twenty four who have not taken the opportunity to test to do so. They also are reminding those who know about the programme to test once a year as a routine check up and at any change of partner.
Get free 'check it out' boxers (male or female) up until September when you order and send back a screen through the postal method. Click here to order a kit.
Youth Chances Launch Event
On June twenty eighth 2011 project partners the Metro Centre, the University of Greenwich and Ergo Consulting hosted the official national launch of Youth Chances.
Youth Chances is a social research project that is investigating the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and questioning (LGBTQ) 16-25 year olds across England. What challenges do LGBTQ young people still face growing up in this country? The evidence gained through the research will inform and influence the work of 50 service providers and 50 commissioners across the country.
Three young people from Somerset supported by Andrew Wilson (One of the leaders from 2BU Somerset a support youth group for lgb young people) gave a presentation on what its is like for gay, lesbian and bisexaul young people growing up in Somerset.
How could our services be improved? If you are lesbain, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning your sexuality check out the project as your views are needed. check out their website Youth channces
Gold award for the movie 'Looking for Sarah'
Looking For Sarah has won a prestigious Gold Award at the Questar Awards in the US.
Gold for "Looking For Sarah" in the category/classification Non Profit Organizations: Education.
All Gold winners are contenders for the Grand Award in their category. Grand Award winners will be notified June 22, 2011.
First Somerset GP practice to receive ‘young people friendly’ award
Young people in Burnham can feel reassured they are receiving a first class service when they go along to their local medical centre for any aspect of their health or wellbeing, sexual health or contraception. That's because the Burnham Medical Centre, an early innovator in providing services for young people, is now the first GP practice in Somerset to be awarded the coveted "You're Welcome" accreditation status by the Department of Health.
The "You're Welcome" accreditation scheme is only granted to those services that go the extra mile for their young clients and set a "gold standard" in service quality. Services must be able to demonstrate that they have improved their accessibility, choice and quality of services offered to young people aged 11-19 years.
Sister Lynne Humphries, Lead Nurse and Practice Lead for the Burnham Medical Centre (BMC) "You're Welcome" initiative, said: "We are extremely pleased to receive this national award. This has been a team effort and I would like to thank everyone within the practice for their co-operation and support. I would also like to thank Gemma Denman, Young People's Ambassador and Kate Jones, School Nurse both from King Alfred School, Burnham-on-Sea and Craig Boothroyd for his input for patients with learning disabilities."
The award assessors commended the medical centre saying: "Everyone has worked very hard to improve, what is already a very good service, to become a first rate service to young people both within the practice and in the Young Adults Drop-In Clinic. Burnham has set a very high standard for other G.P services to follow."
Seen the movie, looking for Sarah? Now see the making of it
Filmed by students from Somerset schools, this film is done in documentary style and follows the progress of the film 'Looking for Sarah', including interviews and behind the scenes footage.
Award tells Taunton’s young people - ‘You’re Welcome’ when it comes to sexual health and contraceptive services
The Taunton CASH (Contraceptive and Sexual Health clinic) has been given a Government award for its services to young people.
The NHS Contraceptive and Sexual Health Service (CASH) is the first in Somerset to be awarded the coveted 'You're Welcome' accreditation status by the Department of Health.
The scheme is only granted to those services that go the extra mile to help young people.
CASH earned the honour after proving that they have improved their accessibility, choice and quality of service.
The award was presented to CASH staff by Julie Yates, Public Health Consultant with NHS Somerset, on Friday, January 21.
Dr Rebecca Hobbs, Consultant in Sexual Health with the CASH service, said: “Achieving this accreditation award has been a tough challenge but one which all the staff can feel proud.
“We understand how important it is to create a friendly and welcoming environment for young people. Sexual health and contraception is so vital and young people need accurate and clear information if they are to protect themselves.
“Many of our clinics are open just for young people. These include walk-in clinics on Monday and Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings.
“Young people find the opening hours more convenient and they are put at ease when they know there will be other young people or if making their first visit.”
The clinic is located at 7 The Crescent in Taunton and is open six days a week, providing appointments during the day, over lunch, evenings and within its walk-in clinics.
All CASH services are free and confidential.
Somerset students on the big screen
Students from across the County have become stars of their own movie.
Students from nine Somerset schools have had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work with a professional film crew to write, produce and star in their own film.
It was shot on location in Somerset last Autumn and was premiered at a red-carpet event on Wednesday 12 January at the Brewhouse Theatre in Taunton. The project has not only given the young people the chance to discover their inner Spielberg or Winslet, but also engaged them on the issue of teenage pregnancy.
‘Looking for Sarah’ follows the story of a teenage girl faced with an unexpected pregnancy and looks at the issues faced by teenage parents. It will be used in secondary schools across Somerset as part of a project by Somerset County Council and NHS Somerset aimed at reducing the number of teenage pregnancies in the county.
Julie Husband, Teenage Pregnancy Strategy Coordinator for Somerset said: “The film addresses a lot of the misunderstandings people have about teenage pregnancy. Financial help is not guaranteed for those under 16, and being a teenage parent can put real pressures on your social life. We also want to reinforce the message that Contraceptive and Sexual Health services are confidential and would encourage young people to contact them for help and advice.”
Michelle Hawkes, Public Health Specialist for NHS Somerset said: “This has been a really exciting opportunity for young people in Somerset to get involved in a professional film project and enable them and their peers to debate some really important issues. Hopefully this project will raise awareness of the difficulties of teenage parenthood and give young people the information they need to be able to make choices.”
Follow whats going on in facebook and check out the photo's
"What's in your pants?" Sexual health campaign (have a test and get free pants)
Following on from World Aids day reminding us that HIV hasn't gone away, we also remind you that one in twelve young people between fifteen and twenty four will have Chlamydia. Its easy to catch and easy to treat, but if left untreated can have serious consequences for both guys and girls Check out more details here
During December if you pick up and return a free screen from your GP, Pharmacist or other outlet you'll get a pair of the sought after 'Check it out' boxers (we have both male and female styles) or you send for a screen via somerset.nhs.uk/checkitout
World Aids day
Started back in 1988, It is about increasing awareness, fighting prejudice and improving education. World AIDS Day is important for reminding people that HIV has not gone away, athough advances have been made in treating people with HIV there reamains no cure.
There are 90,000 people in the UK living with HIV and of those 4,300 are under 19. In Somerset we have 167 people living with the condition and although this seems a small number we have seen an increase year on year and since the last published figures an increase of 57%
Of the 167 46% who became infected were guys who have sex with guys and 36% aquired it through hetrosexual sex, the fastest growing increase is through hetrosexual sex. Condoms remain the only protection against HIV and other Sti's
Yeovil College is the first college in the South West and only the third in the country to achieve the ‘You're Welcome’ accreditation for its young people’s health services.
Awarded by the Department of Health, the ‘You’re Welcome!’ accreditation is part of an initiative to promote young-people-friendly health services. The aim of the accreditation is to improve acceptability, accessibility, choice and quality of services for young people. The quality criteria assess all health services which may be used by 11 – 19 year olds to encourage the development of more young-people-friendly services. Criteria for the award were developed for services within the health sector, including all areas within Primary Care Trusts.
Yeovil College was one of nine Trailblazers in England chosen to work towards the accreditation by the Department of Health. Of these, Yeovil is the third to successfully achieve ‘You’re Welcome!’ status and the first in the South West region.
Yeovil College’s Angela Coward, Head of Learner Support Services, and Ruth Morgan, Student Support Services Team Leader, worked with Barbara Buckley, the NHS Somerset’s Health Promotion Manager (Children and Young People) to complete a comprehensive self-assessment tool and related action plan, which was submitted to Department of Health for verification. The team worked with key staff across Yeovil College, as well as members of the Yeovil College Student Union, to ensure that criteria were met and that a clear action plan and Health and Well Being Strategy was developed.
On Friday 12 November 2010, Claire King, Regional ‘You’re Welcome!’ Co-Ordinator for the South West Strategic Health Authority, formally presented the award to Yeovil College’s Principal, James Hampton.
Ms King said “The ‘You’re Welcome!’ accreditation is a fantastic opportunity for services to show that they really are delivering an excellent service to their young people. Achieving ‘You’re Welcome!’ is not a light task and I’m delighted that Yeovil College were able to meet all the criteria. ‘You’re Welcome!’ can play a key role in self-assessment and service improvement and makes providers stand out as delivering excellent services. Well done to Yeovil College and congratulations on being the first to achieve ‘You’re Welcome!’ in the South West.”
Mr Hampton said “A lot of hard work was put in by colleagues across Yeovil College to achieve this prestigious accreditation, particularly by Angela, Ruth and the Student Support Services Team. There is a danger that initiatives like this can seem peripheral, particularly in this sort of economic climate, but as a College we know how essential they are to students and we mustn’t forget that. We must hold on to our ability to work with young people and give them the right messages about health as part of their education so that they can live successful and healthy lives.”
Barbara Buckley, NHS Health Promotion Manager (Children and Young People) said “Yeovil College has a really dynamic team which is very responsive to ideas. The team did really, really well working towards ‘You’re Welcome!’. It really is a huge undertaking and they did it brilliantly.”
Head of Learner Support Services Angela Coward said “Although it’s fantastic for the Yeovil College team that we’ve achieved the ‘You’re Welcome!’ accreditation, it is even more important for our students. As a result of this process we have shown that Yeovil College students can access some of the very highest quality health services. It is very important that our students feel that our staff are approachable and supportive and can help them when they need it. Achieving ‘You’re Welcome!’ highlights all this.”
JLS PROMOTE CONDOM USE
'We wanted to send a clear message out to fans that are over sixteen and sexually active - and that is always to use a condom during sex,' Says hunk Marvin Humes. 'No glove, no love,' adds Aston Merrygold.
Mark Withers who was last years Brook Sexual Health Professional of the Year added 'Don't forget you don't have to buy condoms if you are a young person in Somerset, you can get them free through the C-Card scheme'.
SOMERSET’S NEW STUDENTS FACE FACTS ABOUT SAFE SEX AT COLLEGE
Get the facts not an infection! - Sexual Health Week - 13-19 September 2010
New students attending college Fresher Fairs this month are being encouraged to get the facts about Sti's (sexually transmitted infections) and using condoms for safer sex this Sexual Health Week (13-19 September).
The NHS Somerset sexual health team have been out and about visiting some of the County’s colleges and emphasising the importance of using a condom correctly every time you have sex to lower the risk of getting an STI.
Whilst the South West has lower than average rates for sexually transmitted infections including Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, herpes and genital warts there is still a rise in new diagnoses of sexually transmitted infections in line with the national increase of 3 percent between 2008 and 2009.
Young people are particularly at risk and experience disproportionately higher rates of sexually transmitted infections than other age groups. People aged under 25 attending genitourinary medicine clinics account for more than 70 per cent of cases and one in twelve 15-24 year olds will be tested positive for Chlamydia which is the most common STI.
Josh Bryant, a former student at Richard Huish College in Taunton, is a volunteer ‘peer support’ offering help and advice to fellow students about safe sex practices, whether they are or are not sexually active.
“He joined up with the professional advisers from NHS Somerset, Somerset County Councils teenage pregnancy team and the Somerset Contraception and Sexual Health Service (CASH) on the sexual health tour to give information about the County’s C-Card, a scheme that provides free condoms to young people, and the importance of making sure you use them correctly.
Josh said, “I am surprised many students know a little about the existence of Chlamydia but they are not very clued up about when you need to get a test. They think one screen is sufficient, but it’s not. You need to get a test every time you change partner.
“Being young myself I know it is important that people turning up for college are prepared in case they start a sexual relationship. It’s important they have sufficient information to make the right choices and know where to turn too quickly for help and advice. It can make all the difference between a happy healthy lifestyle or health risks.
“The young people’s website www.somersetcsh.co.uk (which you are actually on by reading this!) has loads of really good information including where to go to get free, confidential one to one advice on any aspects of sex health, free condoms through the C-Card scheme and a list of clinics where you can just turn up to get help. As young people start college for the first time or return after the holidays they really need to make sure they are clued up this term about their sexual health – make sure they get the facts not an infection!”
So - Get the facts, not an infection!
• Find out about STIs, what they are and how do you get them. • Find out more about condoms. • Find out where to go for sexual health advice.
Shout loud
Through this website, you can access local data about sexual health, find out how decisions about local priorities are made, and take action by contacting key decision-makers in your area. http://www.shoutloud.org.uk/
The other side
A few other things to consider
A new card
has been produced to highlight some of the things that will affect the contraceptive pill.
Check it out and see if you knew about them
Street Campaigns
Summer street campaign
Earlier in the year we visited Taunton, Yeovil, Bridgwater, and Frome with our Street Campaign. We spent time chatting with young people and parents. Our focus was 'Sex Worth Talking about' and young people took part in a short sex quiz and many took up the chance to do a Chlamydia screen and as a result got a free pair of 'Check it out' boxer shorts.
Chlamydia
A reminder that chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection among young people. Check out the Chlamydia / other STI's tab
News
Did you see the TV adverts? Talking about sex doesn't have to be as difficult as you think. Whether it’s knowing about your contraceptive choices, explaining STIs, coping with emotions including coming to terms with your sexuality or understanding your body, you'll find straightforward information and advice to make it easier to discuss everything to do with sexual health. Here in Somerset we are working hard to make services easier for young people to get to and meet your needs.
Disclaimer
Certain hypertext links as well as the links section in this website will lead you to other websites which are not under the control of Somerset c&sh . When you access any of these sites, you will leave the Somerset c&sh . Somerset c&sh has no control over, and will accept no responsibility or liability in respect of, the material on any other website. Information and content on this website has been designed for people living in Somerset, England and is provided for general guidance only and should not be treated as a complete and authoritative statement of the law. Every effort is made to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of being published, however changes can occur and it is recommended that details are checked before making decisions..
