Youth council’s safe sex message for Valentine’s Day
Published: Thursday, 13 February, 2020
Members of Stroud District Youth Council (SDYC) are marking the most romantic day of the year with an important message about safe sex for young people. February 14, which is celebrated around the world as St Valentine’s Day is also National Condom Day, a day to promote healthy sexual relationships.
SDYC has identified improving the health of young people in the district as one of their priorities. It formed a Health Focus Group which works with GP surgeries to ensure they are youth friendly, and train members who are 16 years of age or older to be C-Card Champions.
The C-Card is an initiative delivered by the sexual health charity, The Eddystone Trust, which gives people under 25 access to free condoms. The contraceptives are available only after a person has registered with a trained worker who will carry out an informal conversation including assessing risk, and will give guidance on safe sex. Free condoms can then be claimed from any participating organisation such as chemists, libraries and youth services.
To promote the C-Card, members of the youth council, together with two members of the Eddystone Trust created two pieces of art which will be taken to local secondary schools to promote the C-Card scheme.
Ben Stone, principal member for SDYC’s health focus group, and Lily Haines, SDYC vice chair said:
“Sexual health is a concern for many young people across the district. The C-card scheme is vital, following the increase in sexually STI rates across the country, to ensure young people reduce this risk. It is important to promote the C-card, and the Eddystone Trust and we hope that National Condom day will bring awareness to sexual health issues.”
One of Stroud District Council’s five key priorities in its Corporate Delivery Plan is `Health and Wellbeing: Promote the health and wellbeing of our communities and work with others to deliver the public health agenda’ with the four-year focus being `to work with and influence health providers to ensure the delivery of locally accountable services.’
Councillor Mattie Ross, chair of SDC’s Community Services and Licensing Committee said
“This is an important message that the Stroud District Youth Council have tackled with imagination and maturity. It’s vital that young people can have open conversations about safe sex.”