STIQ DAY

STIQ Day has been launched to get people thinking about their sexual health and encourage more people to get regular sexual health checks.  No one likes to think they've caught a sexually transmitted infection (STI) but without a test you just can't be sure.

This year STIQ Day takes place on 14th January, a date chosen because many common STIs such as Chlamydia can take two weeks to be detectable. If your festive season included unprotected sex then you should be thinking about getting tested now. Also with just one month to go before Valentine’s Day anyone hoping to enjoy the celebrations to the full should do so knowing that they are infection free and will not be putting someone else’s sexual health in danger.

More and more people in the UK are catching STIs and each year the infection rate is rising. Regardless of how old you are, if you're gay or straight, if you've had one partner or 100 - just one unprotected sexual encounter could have put you at risk of catching an STI.

Even if you feel perfectly healthy you could still be carrying something. Often getting routinely tested is the only way that people can detect an infection - and the earlier they are tested and treated, the less chance there is of long-term damage being caused.

Getting a sexual health check is easy and shouldn’t be embarrassing or shameful; sex is a normal part of adult life so sexual health checks should be to. It's a quick, simple process that not only puts your mind at rest but could protect your fertility or even save your life - or that of your partner.

To find out about different STI's please click on the tab above 'sexual & general health' or give us a call on 01793 250951 if you have any concerns you'd like to talk to a member of staff about, we even offer a gum buddy service where we can make the appointment for you, and attend with you if you so wish.

Remember if you live in Swindon you can order FREE Condoms, Dams & lube from our site so you can always be prepared when the moment occurs.

Published: 10th January 2012 (updated Thu 21st Jan)

Are you Grey and Gay?

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Are you an older member of the LGBT community, if so we would like to hear from you. Swindon NHS would like to improve their services to the community and understand that the older LGBT community's voice isn't always heard so they would like to set up a focus group to hear what you have to say. All information you provide would be confidential and it gives your voice a real reason to be heard! If you would like to take part or find out more information please get in touch 01793 250951 info@menssexaulhealth.org.uk

Published: 10th January 2012 (updated Thu 21st Jan)

Victims’ Services Advocacy Project

Victim Support wants to know more about the issues affecting local victims and witnesses of crime. So early this year, they appointed a national network of victims’ services advocates in partnership with the Commission for Victims and Witnesses.

The team are talking to victims and witnesses about their experience of crime and finding out what services are available across England and Wales.

Their findings will produce a series of local reports which they will use to raise awareness of important issues affecting victims and witnesses. Their work will also be used to make sure that the new Police and Crime Commissioners for each police force have victim and witness issues on their agenda.

They want to hear your voice

As part of this project, they want to hear about your experiences locally including:

- how you were treated as a victim or witness by the police and the criminal justice system

- if you found suitable support services to help you through this difficult time in your life

- whether or not your reported the crime, and if not, why

They want to hear from people who have been a victim or witness in the last two years, especially for: 

- antisocial behaviour

- sexual assault

- domestic abuse

- hate crime

What to do

Focus groups and interviews will be taking place in your area over the next three months. If you want to take part please contact your local victims’ services advocate – Robin Newman, Victims’ Services Advocate (Wiltshire & Dorset) on 01380 738 872 or by email at robin.newman@victimsupport.org.uk
*please note - importantly for the research, participants have to experienced the crime within the last two years and must not have any criminal justice proceedings pending*

Published: 16th January 2012 by Matt (updated Thu 21st Jan)