Thursday, 20 September 2012
Young volunteers from the Sex Matters Project recently took to the streets in Cwmbran town to talk directly to members of the public about contraception...
The volunteers aged between 18-25 teamed up with the Aneurin Bevan Public Health Team to spread the word about a range of contraceptives called LARCs (Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives) which are highly effective and available in clinics or from your family GP surgery.
Rachael Davies, one of the young volunteers, felt that talking to young people around town was a good way to get the message out. “I think young people are more likely to feel comfortable being stopped and chatted to, by other young people than adults. All the young people I spoke to today were really interested and I felt they all went away with lots more information.”
The Sex Matters Project is a voluntary opportunity funded by the Big Lottery, for young people to learn more about sexual health and share this with their peers. The volunteers create their own workshops around sexual health and deliver them in schools and youth clubs as an innovative form of peer education.
Natalie McGriele, another volunteer on the project, said “Young people feel less embarrassed and find it easier to ask questions of other young people, rather than sexual health delivered by adults.”
The Sex Matters Project’s aim is to lower the chances of unwanted teenage pregnancies and Sexually Transmitted Infections.
For information on LARCs go to www.youchoose.wales.nhs.uk
If you would like to volunteer on the Sex Matters Project or would like a workshop delivered please contact: Seran Davies at Community Service Volunteers Email sedavies@csv.org.uk 07974854262
Source:
Aneurin Bevan Health Board