First things first! People find it hard to talk about sex! So it can be difficult to find out the facts and get impartial advice. This area of the website will direct you to places to find information and advice you can trust.
There are lots of things that affect our opinions and ideas about sex, for example, family, TV, friends, religion and school. If that's not enough, when puberty hits, our bodies also have an impact! Hair, bumps and bulges start to appear where there weren't any before and our body shape starts to change radically. It really helps if you know why this is all happening and that you are not the only one.
Sex affects different parts of our life, our bodies, our health, our emotions and our relationships. There are so many things to consider and think about! It can all be very confusing! So it can be a good idea to find out the facts and take time to consider your own point of view and decide what is right for you and when. Maybe you want to find out about Periods, Kissing, Safer Sex and Contraception, or to understand the facts about the act of or sexual intercourse, or maybe you want support because you are struggling to get over your break up with your ex or think you might be gay.
The websites below have all this information and much more but, if you want to speak to someone face to face you could ask your Connexions Personal Adviser for an appointment or pay a visit to Oldham Brook, The Health Team at The Centre or maybe your Doctor or School Nurse.
Brook offer free sexual health advice (under 25s only) including information on your rights, facts about sex and STIs and the answers to common questions. For information on key sexual health issues any time of day or night call the 24-hour information line on 020 7950 7700. You will hear a recorded message and will then be asked to choose the topic you want more information on from a list of options. There is also an area on the website where you can ask questions confidentially.
Contact: Brook, 99 -101 Union Street, Oldham, OL1 1QH. Tel: 0161 627 0200 www.brook.org.uk
Oldham Family Planning and Sexual Health Services provide confidential contraception and sexual health advice to all ages, including under 16's in Oldham. They run many drop-in clinics where people do not require an appointment contact them on 0161 906 2015
The Phoenix Sexual Health Centre is based at The Royal Oldham Hospital next to the maternity wards off Contact: Royal Oldham Hospital, Rochdale Road, Oldham. OL1 2JH. Tel: 0161 627 8395.
