Sexual Health Promotion Team

Our Sexual Health Promotion Team offers a range services aiming to improve the sexual health and wellbeing of people in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin. Many of these services are available to people from the age of 13 years old.

We aim to engage with the community, to promote awareness and accessibility of the services. We can deliver outreach sessions at a variety of venues and events in the area, allowing people to directly access services and support from our team. We can also support professionals working in these settings (such as pharmacies/health centres, community support services and education) to provide services and advice.

Our team can provide support and information on topics such as:

• Relationships, consent and an overview of what sex and sexual contact is
• Contraception methods
• Sex and the law
• The C-Card condom distribution scheme
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and STI screening
• How to practice safer sex

The team are available throughout the year by prior arrangement. For contact details, see below.

Sexual Health Services are available to everyone. For more information, visit our LGBTQ+ support section.

The C-Card Condom Distribution Scheme

About the Scheme

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. Once a person completes the registration process, they will receive a condom pack that includes a sexual health service leaflet, 6 condoms and 3 lubrication sachets, as well as an anonymous personal card for receiving further condom packs.

Drop-In Sessions

We can attend education venues (such as colleges and universities), community venues and events for a sexual health drop-in. This is a stand that allows people to come and speak to the team, for sexual health information and signposting to services. They can also access C-Card registration and/or distribution, free condoms, lube and oral dams, and sexual health resources.

Training for Professionals

We offer training for professionals who work in education and community settings. We can offer training to become a C-Card Registration and/or Distribution point (see Becoming a Registration and/or Distribution Venue).

Sexual Health Education Sessions

In some areas, we may also be able to offer Sexual Health Awareness sessions. These will offer an overview of the available sexual health services in your local area, and will improve knowledge around sex and relationships, sex and the law and how to make referrals into services.

In Stoke-on-Trent, we can offer sexual health education sessions to identified groups, such as young people attending alternative education providers and training centres, and people attending community support services/groups. These are usually 1 – 1.5 hours, and include an offer of C-Card registration and distribution, with free condoms and lube. Topics covered include consent, sex and the law, sexual health services, STIs, contraception and condoms.

STI Information

We have a wealth of information on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) available, including a ‘quick guide’ on the types of STIs, their symptoms, and testing and treatment options.

In Stoke-on-Trent, we may be able to offer self-taken Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea testing for people 18 years old and over, in some community settings. Please note: this is subject to service capacity, and suitability of the venue; please contact the team to discussion provision.

For more information on STI testing, click here.

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.