Connect Young Peoples Centre -Sexual Health Under 25's

04/06/2024

21/05/2024

Coming soon to a town near you!

For more information, take a look at
https://blackpoolpride.org/youth-pride/

21/05/2024

This slang dictionary seeks to support parents, carers, and professionals to better understand language young people may be using that could be associated with exploitation!

Please share this post to see if we can support each other !

https://proceduresonline.com/trixcms2/media/21522/slang-dictionary-a5-booklet.pdf

02/05/2024

Excuses for not testing.........
“I don’t have symptoms”

Chlamydia and gonorrhoea, the most common STIs, often don’t have any symptoms. This means it’s possible to have one, or both of them, without knowing. In fact, around 75% of women with chlamydia and 50% of men don’t have any obvious signs or symptoms.

“I don’t have time”
Testing for STIs has never been easier. In many parts of the UK, young people don’t even need to visit a s*xual health clinic for a test –they can order one for free online, complete it at home and send it back in the post. Find out if young people can test at home in your area.

“I’ve only had s*x once/with one person”

A key thing to emphasise in any lesson about STIs: it doesn’t matter how often you have s*x, what type of s*x you’re having, or who you’re having s*x with, STIs are still a risk.

*xualhealth

01/05/2024

STIs have been around for thousands of years. For instance, around 400 B.C, Hippocrates described a condition that sounds like gonorrhoea!

But even though testing and treatment is more accessible than ever, STI rates have drastically increased in recent years.
• In 2022, rates of gonorrhoea were the highest since records began in 1918.
• The same year, syphilis cases reached a peak not seen since the end of the Second World War.

Yet, despite these worrying statistics, our recent survey with over 2,000 young people found that almost a quarter of them didn’t feel it was important to get an STI test before having unprotected s*x.

Follow our page so we can look at how to challenge three of the most common excuses for not testing…

*xualhealth

30/04/2024

Preston Pride returns for 2024 on the Flag Market on Saturday, 28 September 🏳️‍🌈

Everyone is welcome as the city celebrates Preston's LGBTQ+ communities with live music, guest appearances, and a variety of information stands and stalls! ❤️

📷 Karen Browne
Preston Pride

30/04/2024

If I use a s*xual health service will they tell my parents?
*xualhealth *xualhealth
Find out about confidential s*xual health services, including contraception, testing for s*xually transmitted infections (STIs) and advice on unplanned pregnancy, even if you're under 16 years old.

Sexual health services (contraception and pregnancy advice, or tests for STIs, including HIV) are free and confidential.

If you're 13 to 16, you have the same rights to confidentiality as an adult. The doctor, nurse or pharmacist will not tell your parents, or anyone else, as long as they believe that you fully understand the information and decisions involved.

They'll encourage you to consider telling your parents or carers, but they will not make you.

Even if the doctor, nurse or pharmacist feels that you're not mature enough to make a decision yourself, the consultation will still be confidential. They will not tell anyone that you saw them, or anything about what you said.

The only time a professional might want to tell someone else is if they believe there is a risk to your safety or welfare, such as abuse. The risk would need to be serious, and they would usually discuss this with you first.

The situation is different for people under 13, because the law says that people of this age cannot consent (say yes) to s*xual activity. If you're under 13, doctors, nurses and health workers might feel it's in your best interests to involve other people, such as a social worker.

25/04/2024

13/04/2024

MYTH 8: A RELATIONSHIP IS ABOUT PUTTING THEIR NEEDS ABOVE YOUR OWN

Even in a relationship you still need to prioritise your needs. If you’re always trying to look out for someone and put their needs before yours, that’s great – if they’re doing the same for you. If they are, logic says you’ll probably meet somewhere in the middle. There might be times where you’re giving a lot more, but there’ll also be times where they’re giving a lot more, instead.

*xualhealth

13/04/2024

MYTH 7: A GREAT RELATIONSHIP IS EASY

Relationships require time, effort and commitment for them to be healthy and happy. We often expect relationships to be effortless like we see on TV and in books but relationships require hard work, particularly if it’s going to be a long-term relationship, and you will always encounter challenges along the way.

*xualhealth

12/04/2024

MYTH 6: MONOGAMY IS ESSENTIAL FOR A SUCCESSFUL RELATIONSHIP

For some people, being monogamous (being committed to just one person) is not necessary for a healthy and happy relationship and they opt for non-monogamous relationships. Casual relationships, where there is less commitment, are more popular and can be great for some people.