Free Period Products for young people offered by the Sexual Health Centre

The Sexual Health Hubs’ free period product initiative was launched in Clonakilty today by TD Holly Cairns. The Sexual Health Hub project was first launched in September 2020  by the Sexual Health Centre, as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The hubs are now being expanded – in terms of location and service provision – to ensure that period products are more accessible to young people across Cork City and County.

The Hubs project won this year’s Youth in Community Award at the Lifelong Learning Festival Awards in October this year for its innovation and unique multifaceted approach to youth needs across Cork. The Shack youth centre in Clonakilty now hosts the first Sexual Health Hub to include Free Period Products , with menstrual pads, tampons, and relevant information about periods and period products available for young people. The Sexual Health Centre team believe it is imperative to supply accurate, honest and inclusive information along with products so that young people can more easily engage in conversations about periods.

West Cork TD Holly Cairns stressed the importance of the resource for local youth:

“The Sexual Health Hub here in Clonakilty is a wonderful addition to the town that will help empower local youth with accurate information about their bodies and health. It also gives young people an opportunity to engage with staff who can explain about specific sexual health services that they otherwise wouldn’t hear about.”

“We know that access to menstrual products is a luxury that many do not have. So, it is very encouraging that as well as sexual health information and condoms, free period products are also now available to young people in West Cork, in an environment that is familiar and safe for them,” noted the Social Democrat’s Spokesperson for Social Justice.

Health Promotion Officer at the Sexual Health Centre, Muire O’ Farrell explained the need for youth-oriented services in relation to sexual health:

“Young people are often discouraged from taking care of their sexual health and wellbeing. We are committed to changing that through the Sexual Health Hubs by partnering with youth groups, outreach workers and resource centres across the county. The Hubs can provide a solution to the limited reach of current sexual health specific services in Cork.”

Cork City Councillor and Youth Officer for the Cork Education and Training Board (ETB), Mick Finn highlighted the exclusion experienced by rural youth in relation to health services:

“Young people in rural areas can be distanced from accessing vital services and information for their own personal health, development and wellbeing and so bringing these hubs to them is dexterous, direct and very welcome. They can be cut off from services because of geography and IT infrastructure in normal times, let alone in times of restrictions and lockdowns. The Cork Sexual Health Centre has been very innovative in responding to the health needs of young people in the city and county as part of their involvement in the UBU Your Place, Your Space funding scheme which is what we need youth services to continue to be.”

This initiative is funded by Cork ETB. If you are interested in setting up a Sexual Health Hub, you can contact the Sexual Health Centre on info@sexualhealthcentre.com or 021-4276676 for further information.

(DASH) Drugs, Alcohol and Sexual Health: New mobile unit launched for Cork and Kerry

In a landmark partnership for the Cork and Kerry region, the Sexual Health Centre has launched a joint community initiative with Cork Local and Southern Regional Drug & Alcohol Task Forces.  The organisations are leading out on a unique mobile health service which travels to any and every part of Cork and Kerry - making support, information and interventions available to all.

The ‘DASH’ (Drugs, Alcohol & Sexual Health) unit was launched at St. Finbarr’s Campus in Cork city today (Friday). The project is the first of its kind in Ireland, providing community-wide mobile services such as rapid HIV testing, condom provision, drug and alcohol assessments and support from trained health promotion professionals.

Executive Director of the Sexual Health Centre, Dr. Martin Davoren, noted that DASH will provide an important link to support for communities across Cork and Kerry:

“The aim of the project is to ensure equity of access. We want to break down the barriers that people face in accessing services - be it time, location or cost. DASH is available to all sectors of the community, and is free of charge.”

Emily Barrett, DASH Project Worker noted that “DASH will bring opportunities for informal interventions in every village and town across Cork and Kerry. People deserve to get information and support around their health and wellbeing in a friendly and welcoming environment, and DASH will bridge that gap for a lot of people.”

The cross-sectoral approach of the project is central to its development and delivery, as highlighted by Joe Kirby, co-ordinator of Cork Local Drug & Alcohol Task Force:

“Drugs, alcohol and sexual health impact everyone at some point in their lives. The client groups of each of our organisations can all benefit from the ease of access and diverse expertise at the helm of the DASH project. Importantly, DASH will be available to members of the wider community, who may not have the opportunity or encouragement to consider their own needs around drugs, alcohol and sexual health until the DASH van arrives in their local area.”

The HSE’s Head of Service for Primary Care for Cork and Kerry, Priscilla Lynch commented:

“Drugs, alcohol and sexual health services have operated exclusively, even though there is a lot of overlap in the issues that can come up for service users. The arrival of DASH marks a turning point in how we think about service provision in these areas across the region. It pools our expertise and brings services to people so that comprehensive, accessible supports are truly available to all.”

The DASH van is available to visit communities and organisations throughout counties Cork and Kerry. For more information, contact the DASH Project Worker, Emily Barrett at 083 013 2250 or dash@sexualhealthcentre.com

Contact: 086 138 1994 - Olivia Teahan, Communications & Engagement Lead, The Sexual Health Centre.

Photographer: Jim Coughlan.

A WISE conversation on sexual health: new E-learning platform to be launched by Minister for Children

The Sexual Health Centre’s new E-learning platform for those supporting the education of young people will be launched tomorrow (Wednesday, 9th December) by Minister for Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth, Roderic O'Gorman TD.  ‘WISE Online’ was created by Sexual Health Promotion Officers, Phil Corcoran and Muire O’Farrell of the Sexual Health Centre, to assist professionals in facilitating and responding to questions on sexual health and relationships from young people.

 A major hurdle in effective sexual health education is the recorded discomfort in delivering the information – be it youth workers, teachers or parents. People have concerns about discussing topics like sexual identity, relationships and pornography with students, and more often they fear they will not be fully equipped with up to date and accurate information. This is a sentiment shared by many, including parents and carers. WISE Online was developed in response to these concerns.

 The WISE (What; Information; Support; Engagement and Education) tool supports professionals in addressing questions and turning comments that may be flippant or uncomfortable into useful teaching moments. Phil Corcoran noted that “it is crucial that educators have a comprehensive toolkit so that they can deal with young peoples’ questions and concerns in an informed, inclusive and non-judgemental manner. Our hope is that when people have completed the WISE Online modules, they will feel more equipped, comfortable and confident when dealing with young peoples’ queries and delivering information relating to sexual health”. 

The modules within the online platform can be completed at the participant’s pace in their own time. WISE Online participants will be presented with a series of questions and statements relating to relationships, contraception, sexually transmitted infections, HIV, pregnancy, gender and sexuality. The WISE tool is then applied to each question and statement, in order to equip educators with responses to young people’s queries.

Muire O Farrell highlighted the comprehensive nature of the platform and its utility for educators:

“Participants will be provided with a suite of resources relating to each topic in the form of text, images and video content. On completion of the modules, professionals will have access to a PowerPoint presentation to assist in their delivery of sexual health education with young people.  They will also be provided with a facilitation guide and resources to support their programme delivery. As sexual health educators, we understand that it can be a daunting area for teachers and youth workers, so we encourage participants to get in touch with us if they need any support.

Derry O’Donovan, Deputy Principal of St. Brogan’s College in Bandon shared that they “were delighted to be selected to be the pilot school for the Sexual Health Centre’s WISE E-learning platform. We believe that access to education in the area of sexual health and well-being is an inherent right of every young person and it is core to their intrinsic development.  The programme provides a roadmap with excellent resources so that educators can be confident that the manner in which they address issues is age appropriate, in line with NCCA guidelines and evidence based”.

The WISE E-learning platform is funded by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. It will be launched at the Firkin Crane in Cork city at 2.30pm with a panel discussion and demonstration of the platform. Free registration to join the launch via Zoom is available at www.eventbrite.ie/e/130567873023/. A recording of the launch event will be made available at www.sexualhealthcentre.com.  For further information on the WISE programme, please contact the Sexual Health Centre at 021 427 6676 or info@sexualhealthcentre.com.

ENDS

Contact:
Phil Corcoran (Senior Health Promotion) - 0861381994 / phil@sexualhealthcentre.com.

Cork’s Sexual Health Centre launches Ireland’s first community sexual health hub

Wednesday, 23rd of September saw the launch of Ireland’s first Sexual Health Hub, in Cork. This new initiative, spearheaded by the Sexual Health Centre, aims to make sexual health information more accessible to youth in communities across Cork City and County.

The Sexual Health Hubs will be the first point of contact for many young people, enabling them to access information leaflets on sexual health topics (e.g. contraception, relationships, sexually transmitted infections) and staff who are equipped to signpost to specific sexual health services. Free condoms and lube will be available at Hub locations where appropriate, with youth seeking to access condoms required to watch a condom demonstration video via a QR code.

The Hubs will create a safe, familiar, and accessible way for young people to avail of sexual health information, and provide a solution to the limited reach of current sexual health specific services.

Denis Leamy, Chief Executive of Cork Education and Training Board noted that “Cork ETB welcome the opportunity to support this innovative programme. Facilitating the collaboration of organisations that support young people is crucial in providing the required support directly to the community at a local level. By working together these organisations ensure equitable access to supports”.

The launch took place in association with Youth Work Ireland Cork (YWIC), the Sexual Health Centre’s first partner organisation. Based in 'The Hut' in Gurranabraher, YWIC run the Gurranabraher and Churchfield UBU youth project. The ‘UBU: Your Place, Your Space' youth project provides out-of-school support to young people in the local Gurranabraher/Churchfield area to enable them to overcome adverse circumstances and achieve their full potential by improving their personal and social development outcomes.

As part of this new initiative, not only will sexual health information be available via the Hub stands, but the Sexual Health Centre will also provide ongoing information sessions and workshops throughout the year at Hub locations, to provide continued education on important sexual health topics.

The Sexual Health Centre delivered workshops to the youth at the UBU project in advance of the launch where the topic was well received:

"I got to ask questions about rumours and stuff you hear about but are not sure if they are true. I know now where I can go to ask more questions or get help if I need to", said one young person who participated in a sexual health workshop.

YWIC youth worker Joe Curtin also commented: "I think it's great for The Hut and the wider local community that we will have the first Sexual Health Hub in the city located here. Young people will be able to seek advice and information on a topic that is still sometimes not openly discussed in schools and at home. Young people will also have the opportunity to take part in sexual health workshops that are facilitated by specifically trained professionals throughout the year, and access the other services of the Sexual Health Centre more easily."

Muire O Farrell, Health Promotion Officer at the Sexual Health Centre, said “This is the first of many Sexual Health Hubs popping up across Cork. Our goal is to work in partnership with organisations across the city and county, e.g. youth groups, resource centres, outreach workers etc., to bring sexual health to youth from Castletownbere to Charleville, Kinsale to Kanturk”.

If you are interested in setting up a Sexual Health Hub, you can contact the Sexual Health Centre on info@sexualhealthcentre.com or 021-4276676 for further information. For information on Youth Work Ireland Cork, visit www.ywicork.com

ENDS

For further information please contact Olivia Teahan (Communications Officer)

E-mail: oliviateahan@sexualhealthcentre.com Tel: 086 138 1994

World AIDS Day Run - Photo Gallery

Thank you all for joining us for the World AIDS Day Run on December 1st! You helped us raise awareness of the importance of regular HIV testing.

Don’t forget that you can always get a free Rapid HIV Test at the Sexual Health Centre. To schedule your appointment call 021 427 6676.

Can you spot yourself on the photos in our gallery?

World AIDS Day Run photo gallery