BITS AND BYTES
BITS AND BYTES |
|
I was invited to be one of the speakers at the Sex Education Roadshows recently organised by the Tees and District Health Promotion Service. The roadshows that were held at Hartlepool and Redcar in June and July, were open to professionals involved in the provision of Sex and Relationship Education. The delegates consisted of School Nurses, Practice Nurses, Family Planning Nurses, Teachers, Social Workers and Youth Workers. The Roadshows were designed to raise awareness of the medical and social consequences of sexual activity amongst young people and included the opportunity to practice a range of methods in the delivery of sex education, and to view the teaching resources available from the Health Promotion Service.
My presentation was entitled "The Silent Epidemic", providing some facts about sexually transmitted infections, together with recent regional and national statistics.
The Roadshows were very informative and provided the opportunity to network with other professionals involved in working with young people. The evaluations were very positive with many delegates expressing a keen interest for more of these health-promoting activities in the community.
A talk was arranged for a group of trainee volunteer counsellors at the Cleveland Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Service in August 2000. I provided them with information about the GUM Service together with some facts about Sexually Transmitted Infections and confidentiality issues. An informative and interesting discussion took place during the session with all in attendance indicating that they had found the talk helpful and beneficial to their practice. It is envisaged that this will become a regular session to be included in the training package of counsellors, and I have been invited to return for the next intake of trainees.
Ellen Mulholland
Sexual Health Adviser
We have been invited by five schools in the last academic year 1999/2000 to discuss sex-related issues with year 10/11 students, (15-16 years). We have been working closely with the schools to develop and implement their sex and relationship education programmes. The main objectives initially have been to inform pupils about the sexual health services that are available in the area, to help them develop the confidence and skills to access these services and to provide specific and up-to-date knowledge about sexual health. We have received very good feedback from these sessions and all the schools have been enthusiastic! We hope in the future to take this service one step further, by offering pupils confidential support and advice, through drop-in sessions already established by the school nursing services.
Julie Clark; Sandy Relph
GUM Department, Middlesbrough
The poor weather did not dampen the enthusiasm of the staff from Middlesbrough Genito Urinary Department at the Cleveland Show. We set up our health promotion stall within the NHS tent. The aim of the day was to heighten awareness of where the clinic is based and to give the public the opportunity to ask questions about sexual health. Health promotion leaflets and condoms were available. The overall response we felt was positive. Many genuine questions were asked from people aged approximately 13 years to 60+ years. We were able to clarify information people had picked up from peers, magazines and television. However, as the Cleveland Show is a very family orientated day, we did experience some very embarrassed people who steered their children and themselves swiftly past our stall and the condoms! All the staff felt it a worthy day and are looking forward to attending next year.
Helen Maloney, Ellen Taylor and Jane Gibson
Staff Nurses, GUM Clinic, Middlesbrough General Hospital
©2000 Sexual Health Matters. Published Quarterly by Express Print Works, Middlesbrough,
UK
ISSN 1469-7556
http://www.sexualhealthmatters.com