New sexual health drop-in clinic for young people

A confidential sexual health drop-in service for young people has been set up at the Wilder Park Cottage Group in Ilfracombe. The drop-in is run by trained sexual health staff and a community nurse who can provide the right advice and information on how young people can protect themselves against sexually transmitted infections, stay safe and deal with peer pressure.

The North Devon Primary Care Trust community nurse, pregnancy kits and condoms are being funded by Transform, the Neighbourhood Management Programme, in a three-month trial.

The drop-in service is open on Monday afternoons between 3.30 and 5.30pm, and on Friday evenings with the community nurse between 6.30 and 8.30pm, although staff are available to provide information and support at other times too.

Staff at the drop-in service are also able to give advice on other issues such as housing or benefits. The drop-in is proving very popular and staff helped 11 young people who wanted advice on sexual health in the first two weeks. If the trial is successful, the Primary Care Trust will consider continuing the service in the future.