Working in partnership for the people of Herefordshire
Sexual health on the agenda at young people’s conference
More than one hundred teenagers will be talking about sex this week as Herefordshire Council supports a sexual health conference for young people.
The conference, which takes place at ThePoint4 in Hereford on December 11, has been organised by a group of young people working with the council’s youth service and with input from sexual heath professionals in both the council and primary care trust.
It has taken six months to plan the day which involved young people meeting with professionals, booking guest speakers, organising layout and venue, programming the day and issuing invitations to 15 -18 year olds across the county.
With teenage pregnancies and sexual health on the agenda nationally, the team of ten young organisers have arranged a sex education style show for Herefordshire youngsters focusing on sexually transmitted infections, contraception and workshops around relationships, self esteem and respect.
There will be a market place where young people can find out more about local services and facilities for young people. Contributors include Connexions, Zig Zag, Outside In, Safer Herefordshire, Gaol Street clinic and a number of advice and support services.
Delegates will also get chance to take part in a quiz about the day and a consultation about changes to the school curriculum, using an interactive voting system.
Hugo Sugg, conference committee member, said: “Getting young people talking openly and honestly about sex is very important if we are going to reduce teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections like Chlamydia. A committee of young people decided on the theme for this conference and they have worked incredibly hard to bring the whole day together.
“All the sessions they have arranged for the day fit in with current changes to relationships and sexual education and with the national campaign Sex – worth talking about which aims to dispel some of our cultural taboos and encourage youngsters to talk more about sex and relationships.”