What is the C-Card?
The C-Card is a card that gives people quick and easy access to free condoms. This service is available to anyone aged 13 or over in Staffordshire, Shropshire, Stoke-on-Trent, and Telford and Wrekin.
It is a confidential service which also offers information and advice about sexual health and relationships.
If you are thinking of having sex or are having a sexual relationship, registering for a card will mean you always have access to free condoms.
How does the C-Card work?
The C-Card allows you to get free condoms from a range of places e.g. some schools, colleges, shops, clinics and pharmacies.
The card will not have any personal details on it like your name, it will only have a unique number on it. You can take your C-Card to any place where you see the C-Card logo and get your condoms without any questions asked.
How to register
Registration is quick and easy and takes about 10 minutes. You will only be asked for a few simple details like:
- Name
- Postcode
- Date of Birth
All the information you provide is confidential and will not be passed on to anyone else.
You can register for a C-Card at any of our sexual health clinics as well as some other places – find your nearest C-Card venue on our C-Card venue finder.
Find out how to use external condoms safely here.
Order a C-Card or C-Card packs online
Using an existing C-Card to order new C-Card packs? Fill all your details in the form, click yes on “Do you have a C-Card?”, and enter your C-Card number.
Online orders are sent in plain packaging.
OUT OF AREA NOTICE: If you do not live in the areas listed below, a C-Card/condoms will not be sent.
Online registration is unavailable to under 16s – if you’re under 16 please use our service finder, or contact your local sexual health clinic.
Using your C-Card
Once you have your C-Card, you just need to show it at a collection point to get free condoms.
The member of staff you see will mark a box of the pack, make a note of your visit number and C-Card number, and then hand you your condom pack.
See a list of places you can use your C-Card on our Service Finder.
Finding a C-Card venue near you
You can use your C-Card at sexual health clinics as well as some pharmacies, GPs and community venues. Visit the Service Finder and enter your postcode to find the closest place to you.
If you’re a student, you may be able to use your C-Card at your education venue, or with local school nurses.
Got a question about the C-Card scheme?
Call the C-Card and Prevention Team on:
0808 178 0955, option 2 (Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire and Telford & Wrekin)
0300 404 2996 (Shropshire)
You can also email SexualHealthComms@mpft.nhs.uk.
Watch our condom demonstration video, showing how to put a condom on correctly ↓
Watch our video showing how to use an internal condom correctly ↓
C-Card FAQs
How do I get more free condoms with my C-Card?
Go to our C-Card venue finder, and type in your postcode or town. You will then be shown a list of condom collection points in and near to that area. You can also order another condom pack online using our order form above. Please bear in mind that online orders can take up to 2 weeks to arrive.
What happens if I lose my C-Card?
If you lose your card, don’t worry – you can sign up for a new one online or in person. Use the C-Card venue finder and type in your postcode or town, clicking on the name of a venue will show you whether they are a registration point; if so, you can go there to get a new card. If the tick boxes on your card are full, you can also register for a new card to get more condoms. If you use our online service to order the pack which would complete your last tick box, we will automatically send you out a new card.
Can I get condoms in different sizes?
Yes, with a C-Card you can get a variety of packs including different sizes and latex free. Our online order has our most popular condoms available:
Regular sized – The most common size, which fits most people
Snug – A tighter fit around the base
Magnum – A wider fit around the base
Other condom options are available, with features such as differing lengths or thickness. If you have tried to size up or down from the range above and are still not finding a condom that fits right, you can contact the team on SexualHealthOrders@mpft.nhs.uk
Where can I find out more about condoms?
There is lots of useful information about condoms on the Contraception Choices website. This website is run by the College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, and you can look at other contraception methods on there too.
Why should I use condoms?
Condoms are the only contraceptive option that helps to prevent both pregnancy and STIs.
Benefits include:
– Easy to get – they are available for free from sexual health clinics and C-Card condom collection points
– Not hormonal, condoms don’t add any hormones to your body
– The only form of contraception people with a penis can use
Parent or carer of a young person?
See our C-Card information for parents and carers.
Local professional?
See our C-Card information for professionals, which includes information on how you can sign up to be a registration or distribution venue.