Key information about the C-Card
The C-Card programme is a condom distribution scheme, aiming to increase access to free condoms in the community. This service is available to people aged 13 and over.
When a person registers for a C-Card, they fill in a C-Card registration form which asks for basic information such as name, date of birth and postcode. The professional registering them then asks relevant safeguarding questions, based on the age and needs of the person. Once this is all completed, the professional provides them with a C-Card, and an initial condom pack.
Once the person is registered for a C-Card, they can show this at any C-Card collection point to get a free C-Card condom pack, the professional simply takes the C-Card and makes a relevant log of the visit.
Each condom pack includes a sexual health service leaflet, 6 condoms and 3 lubrication sachets.
Becoming a C-Card registration or collection point
We offer free training to a range of local venues and professionals, to be able to register people for C-Cards, and/or distribute C-Card packs. We can train all kinds of professionals, such as pharmacists, receptionists, youth workers and other community facing roles. The training session is around 1-2 hours for venues wishing to become a registration point, and 30 minutes for venues who would like be a collection point. The training can be done face-to-face or online (via Microsoft Teams).
There are many benefits to becoming a C-Card registration or collection venue, including:
- Opportunity to engage with local young people
- Promote positive sexual health in the community
- Close links to sexual health service
If you would like to become a C-Card registration or collection venue, please contact your local team:
Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire: SexualHealthComms@mpft.nhs.uk
South Staffordshire: sexualhealthprevention@mpft.nhs.uk
Shropshire: ShropshirePrevention@mpft.nhs.uk
Telford and Wrekin: telford.prevention@mpft.nhs.uk
Posters, promotional material and paperwork
You can find a range of resources, including posters, promotional material and paperwork, available to download for free on the Resources page of our website.
We ask that paperwork is returned on a monthly basis, by the 5th of the month to the relevant team:
- Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire: SexualHealthComms@mpft.nhs.uk
- South Staffordshire: sexualhealthprevention@mpft.nhs.uk
- Shropshire: ShropshirePrevention@mpft.nhs.uk
- Telford and Wrekin: telford.prevention@mpft.nhs.uk
We also have an online registration form for professionals, which involves no paperwork. You simply need to complete the online form with the person, and issue the C-Card/pack(s) – their information is sent directly to us. Find the link at the bottom of this page.
Drop-ins
Your local team may be able to provide a free C-Card drop-in at your venue, where the team can register people for C-Cards, and distribute C-Card condom packs. This depends on the team’s availability, so please get in touch with your local team to enquire about this, providing as much detail as possible, such as number of people, dates and times:
Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire: SexualHealthComms@mpft.nhs.uk
South Staffordshire: sexualhealthprevention@mpft.nhs.uk
Shropshire: ShropshirePrevention@mpft.nhs.uk
Telford and Wrekin: telford.prevention@mpft.nhs.uk
Information for parents and carers
We have specific information on our website for parents and carers of young people who register for a C-Card, answering frequently asked questions, with a downloadable PDF that you can print off too.
Visit our “C-Card information for Parents and Carers” webpage
C-Card online registration form for professionals
We have now launched our online C-Card registration form that professionals can complete when signing someone up for a C-Card. The patient information is submitted to us, so you don’t need to worry about sending in any paperwork (note: this only applies to registrations, not additional distributions).
We hope this online option will make registrations easier for professionals signing people up in a 1:1 setting by a computer.
Please note: This online form is for PROFESSIONALS to sign people up for a C-Card. If you are looking to sign up for a C-Card yourself, please use our standard C-Card online registration form, found on the C-Card page of our website.