Happy January One and All??
It's well-known that January is the most depressing month of all...no money, excess (Christmas) weight, cold, rain and sometimes snow all add up to make people miserable. Have a look here at Bish Training’s take on making ourselves feel better - feeling rubbish is not an option; why do we always put downers on ourselves? Is it body image? Or just self modesty? Have a look here at a survey Channel 4 are doing in partnership with the Centre for Appearance Research, if people have been answering honestly, the results show a pretty dim view of people's opinions of themselves... Channel 4's program "Beauty and the Beast: the Ugly Face of Prejudice" will hopefully shed some light on it. Have a watch, and let us know what you guys thought, via the channels mentioned below. Also, let us know how important you think body image is...beauty is only skin deep, right?
"The Joy of Teen Sex" also on Channel 4, aired its first show last Wednesday, to the horror of many sex educators, who thought it was over sensationalist...but what did young people think of it? No-one has yet got back to us on this one...in the meantime have a look at Dr. Petra's blog on the subject...we would love to hear from you (whether you are an educator, clinician or a young person - aged between 16 & 25 - C4's target audience) via our usual pages (Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, or our website), or you can comment below!
We were in 3 colleges last week, West Suffolk, University Campus Suffolk & Suffolk One, and we had an amazing response! Thanks to everyone that came to see us, and for those of you who did a chlamydia test, we hope you enjoy your incentives. Suffolk One, as it is a new college, hadn't been visited before, and as you'll see from our photos on Facebook, our presence created a flurry of interest! For those of you that are due a test (if you're aged between 16 & 24, haven't had a test within the past year, or have changed partners since your last test), please note that we will be at Suffolk New College on Wednesday, and after that we'll be all over the county at schools, colleges, universities, sports clubs and community events - tell us where you'd like to see us...we'd really appreciate your feedback; if there are any areas of the county or any particular groups we're not reaching, let us know. If you think you should be tested, but haven't been visit www.amiclear.com to get one posted to you; or if you're out of the target age range visit your local Sexual Health clinics (for info visit our website). We'll also be at Cineworld in Ipswich on Wednesday evening and Haverhill on Friday evening (info only - no testing will be taking place).
We'll be at Suffolk Youth Parliament on Friday - again any feedback that any attendees have about Sexual Health services and awareness in Suffolk will be great to hear!
Last but not least - we liked this video - it's from the FPA in Ireland, regarding the millennium development goals, and how a lack of access to Reproductive Health facilities (contraception etc.) can actually kill people in developing countries...
Monday, 24 January 2011
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
Weekly Update
So this week, we've been to West Suffolk College to spend a day with young people in West Suffolk. There was an excellent response to us being there with lots of people now more in the know about the clinic at the college and the existence of No Risks!
We unfortunately all missed this program: Panorama - Too Much, Too Young but plan to watch it on iPlayer. If you've already seen it, let us know what you thought, or if you've got some spare time, why don't you watch it and join in the discussion?
Just so you know, Thursday 13th Jan & Friday 14th Jan, we will be in Ipswich Town Centre (Tower Ramparts, outside Topshop), to talk to people. Whatever your age, sex, or preferences, come and talk to us! If you’re aged between 16 & 24, and haven't had a chlamydia test this year, or have recently changed partners, we will be able to give you a postal chlamydia kit to take home. We will be giving away £5 vouchers for Arcadia stores (Topshop, Burton etc.) in exchange for each returned test. They really are not scary, as non-invasive as possible, and you'll be sure that you're clear.
If you can't get to Tower Ramparts this week, visit the Chlamydia Team's Website to get your annual test sent to you. Or you can text "KIT" to 84010 with your name address and age to get one sent to you. So really, there's no excuse to not have a test! Approximately 1 in 12 young people (aged between 16 & 25) have chlamydia, get the test to make sure you're not one of them; it's the responsible thing to do!
Remember if you've ever got any concerns you should always see a doctor or nurse. If you live in Suffolk, please call 0300 123 3650 to find out about clinic times and/or to book an appointment.
Also, in a follow up to our post last week, who saw the program on HPV on BBC Three, Monday night? Girls, does the risk of giving HPV to boys encourage you to have the jab? Boys, do you think you should be getting the jab? Is this completely unfair on gay and bi men? Let us know what you think, either by commenting below, or emailing us at no_risks@harmoni.co.uk; if you want to remain anonymous, we will post replies on here without any names!
We unfortunately all missed this program: Panorama - Too Much, Too Young but plan to watch it on iPlayer. If you've already seen it, let us know what you thought, or if you've got some spare time, why don't you watch it and join in the discussion?
Just so you know, Thursday 13th Jan & Friday 14th Jan, we will be in Ipswich Town Centre (Tower Ramparts, outside Topshop), to talk to people. Whatever your age, sex, or preferences, come and talk to us! If you’re aged between 16 & 24, and haven't had a chlamydia test this year, or have recently changed partners, we will be able to give you a postal chlamydia kit to take home. We will be giving away £5 vouchers for Arcadia stores (Topshop, Burton etc.) in exchange for each returned test. They really are not scary, as non-invasive as possible, and you'll be sure that you're clear.
If you can't get to Tower Ramparts this week, visit the Chlamydia Team's Website to get your annual test sent to you. Or you can text "KIT" to 84010 with your name address and age to get one sent to you. So really, there's no excuse to not have a test! Approximately 1 in 12 young people (aged between 16 & 25) have chlamydia, get the test to make sure you're not one of them; it's the responsible thing to do!
Remember if you've ever got any concerns you should always see a doctor or nurse. If you live in Suffolk, please call 0300 123 3650 to find out about clinic times and/or to book an appointment.
Also, in a follow up to our post last week, who saw the program on HPV on BBC Three, Monday night? Girls, does the risk of giving HPV to boys encourage you to have the jab? Boys, do you think you should be getting the jab? Is this completely unfair on gay and bi men? Let us know what you think, either by commenting below, or emailing us at no_risks@harmoni.co.uk; if you want to remain anonymous, we will post replies on here without any names!
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
Oral Sex
Next week, 11th January, BBC Three will be showing a programme, presented by Jaime Winston, about whether or not giving oral sex is safe. For more information please see here. According to the programme, giving oral sex can cause cancer of the mouth. Is the BBC sensationalising a minimal risk? Or is it something we should all be aware of? And why aren't young men receiving the jab?
Here's the latest news from NHS Direct regarding this issue.
And, as you should all know, you can get free barrier contraception, this includes oral dams, not just condoms; these can be worn by men and women to protect themselves whilst giving oral sex, many STIs are contractible via oral sex, so it is always better to be safe than sorry! In Suffolk, young people will soon be able to obtain a swipe card to exchange for condoms. For now, visit the No Risks' website if you live in Suffolk, or search the web for your local sexual health services. NHS Choices also have a directory of Sexual Health services here.
Here's the latest news from NHS Direct regarding this issue.
And, as you should all know, you can get free barrier contraception, this includes oral dams, not just condoms; these can be worn by men and women to protect themselves whilst giving oral sex, many STIs are contractible via oral sex, so it is always better to be safe than sorry! In Suffolk, young people will soon be able to obtain a swipe card to exchange for condoms. For now, visit the No Risks' website if you live in Suffolk, or search the web for your local sexual health services. NHS Choices also have a directory of Sexual Health services here.
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