As Christmas and the New Year fast approaches and the city gears up for the party season, the Derby Teenage Pregnancy Partnership is encouraging people, particularly those aged under 25, to take care of their sexual health and not to rush into sex.
The Partnership is working across the city to equip people with the skills, knowledge and self-esteem to help them make positive informed choices about their sexual health, and also to negotiate with partners around relationships and sex.
Sheila McFarlane, Teenage Pregnancy Coordinator for Derby, said: “This is the time of year that traditionally a lot of alcohol is consumed and people may take more risks than normal. We are encouraging people not to make spur of the moment, un-informed decisions about their sexual health.
“We are not trying to stop people having a good time - we just want to ensure that young people are aware that there are a number of services open during the festive season which are able to give them advice and guidance about their sexual health. These services are also able to give young people who are already sexually active free and confidential advice and guidance to encourage them to act responsibly.
“The Partnership does, however, encourage young people to delay first sex until they are sure they are ready and to ensure they have the skills and knowledge to make positive informed choices that they won’t later regret.”
Over the Christmas and New Year period there are a number of services that are open for people of all ages and also some services specifically designed for young people under 25, including:
Kingsmead Clinic, Kedleston Street 01332 347680
- Monday 25th December – closed
- Tuesday 26th December - closed
- Wednesday 27th December – 6pm - 8.30pm
- Thursday 28th Dec - 9.30am -11.30am
- Monday 1st January - closed
Peartree Clinic, Peartree Road 01332 345405
- Monday 25th December – closed
- Tuesday 26th December – closed
- Wednesday 27th December - 6.30pm – 8.30pm Drop in clinic
- Monday 1st January - closed
The Space (Young people’s contraception and sexual health service for under 25s)
Open:
- Saturday 23rd December 11am – 1:30pm
- Thursday 28th December 2pm – 4:30pm
- Saturday 30th December 11am – 1:30pm
- Tuesday 2nd January as usual appointments only
Spaceman – last session on Friday 22 December 4pm – 6pm
Starts again on Tuesday 2 January Allenton 3:30pm – 5:30pm
Sainsbury Pharmacy Kingsway – closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day open New Years Day. Pharmacist available on New Years Day
There are also a number of pharmacies that will be open over the festive season, call your local pharmacy for their festive opening times.
Alternatively ring NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 for details of other local young people friendly services (and those for adults) available over the Christmas period.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Derby Teenage Pregnancy Strategy is a ten-year programme to address under 18 conceptions in Derby, and to provide support for teenage parents. The strategy is delivered by a partnership including Derby City Council, Central Derby PCT, Greater Derby PCT and Connexions Derbyshire. The strategy aims to reduce conception rates in under 18s by 55% by 2010.
For further information about this press release contact
Anita Dell or Katy Bodley at diva on 0114 221 0378 or email pr@divacreative.com
