Blackpool Council provides a service called the wish team who offer a range of services for young people in the town around education and support on sexual health issues.
Our work provides quality sex and relationships education which will improve young people's knowledge and confidence around sexual health issues, with the aim of reducing teenage conception rates in Blackpool. Research has found that certain factors are linked to teenage parenthood. These include low educational attainment, poverty, a family member being a teenage parent, being a looked after child and being a care leaver. The wish team work with young people in various settings, working collaboratively with outside agencies and within educational establishments.
Vulnerable Young Person's Worker
This role provides one-to-one education and support to young women who have been identified as being vulnerable in relation to their sexual health. The intervention programme is for those most at risk of teenage pregnancy. The service is available to young women aged 10 to 17 years who live in Blackpool. A referral form needs to be completed by a professional, or a young woman can self-refer. The worker will then meet with the young woman and provide specific work around healthy relationships, staying safe and give information on sexually transmitted infections and contraception, where appropriate.
Young Men's Sexual Health Outreach Worker
A variety of group work programmes are offered aimed at improving the sexual health of young men. The focus of the work is to ensure that young men receive positive messages around sexual health and masculinity. Programmes can be delivered over four, five or six weeks and can be tailored to suit the needs of the group and the setting. The service is available to young men aged 13 to 18 years old.
Young Women's Health Promotion Workers
This role offers the deliver of group work to young women and is designed to improve their wellbeing in sexual health. Sessions include: gender stereotypes, body images, self confidence, positive relationships, sexual health, contraceptive choices and services. Programmes are generally run over four weeks but this can be tailored to suit the needs of the group and the setting. This service is available to young women aged 13 to 18 years old.
The Buzz Bus
The Buzz Bus is a mobile provision for young people aged between 13 and 19 years old, that travels to different areas of Blackpool visiting schools, colleges and other locations where young people "hang out". The bus offers a relaxed, safe and friendly place to chill out. Click here to visit the RUBothered website and see the times, dates and locations the Buzz Bus will be at.
The wish team and other professionals are there to listen as well as to give advice and information on sexual health, relationships, drugs, alcohol, smoking and other issues that are important to young people. Many of the issues are addressed through activities, fun sessions and discussions to help build young people's knowledge, self esteem and confidence which enables them to make better informed choices.
The Buzz Bus has clear referral pathways to other agencies and is able to support and signpost young people, to access other sexual health services in Blackpool.
Blackpool Council also provides information and advice to young people on drugs & alcohol, support in school and finding training, education & employment plus much more. |