Advice & Information
Counselling

Sexual Health & Contraception



ADVICE & INFORMATION FAQ's
The following questions are frequently asked to the CY Youth Work Team...

COUNSELLING FAQ's
The following questions are frequently asked to the CY Counselling Team...

SEXUAL HEALTH & CONTRACEPTION FAQ's
The following questions are frequently asked to the CY Nurses/Doctors Team...

 

ADVICE & INFORMATION

Can I have some condoms?
Condoms are available from CY during the Drop-in and Clinic sessions.
If you call in during the drop-in sessions go to Reception and ask to
speak to a Youth Worker, all further discussions will take place in a private room. Nurses also give out condoms during the Drop-in and
Clinic sessions.

If you have not used a condom before, the worker will show you how
to use one using a plastic condom demonstrator. Follow these easy
steps and you should have no problems.
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1. Tear packet carefully and take out condom
2. Put it on as soon as penis is hard
3. Squeeze closed end of condom between finger and thumb
4. Make sure the roll is on the outside – if not it’s inside out
5. Put condom over end of penis
6. Roll condom down using other hand
7. Have fun!
8. Soon after ejaculation withdraw penis, holding condom in place
9. Take off condom, wrap in tissue and put in bin
10. If condom bursts, leaks or comes off and there is a risk of
pregnancy – get emergency contraception within 3 days from CY,
GP or sexual health clinic

If the condom splits, falls off or you don’t use one at all, to prevent
pregnancy you (if you are a girl/young woman) or your female partner
will have to get Emergency Contraception
(used to be called Morning After Pill) within 72 hours (3 days).

Condoms are the only method of contraception that stops you getting sexually transmitted infections.

Go to Sexual health and contraception for more information
about condoms and other methods of contraception.
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My family has thrown me out and
I have nowhere to stay tonight.
Can you help?

This can be a very upsetting time for you. CY can talk to you about your options and try to find you somewhere to stay if you can’t go home. If you have other family or friends to stay with where you will be safe, CY will help you arrange to stay there. The Youth Work Team can advise you about sorting out temporary accommodation, claiming benefits and can refer you to other agencies that can help you. Finding somewhere to live for 16/17 year olds is particularly difficult so contact CY advice or go to Advice/Information - Housing for more information and who else to contact.


I have no money and don’t know what to do. Can you help?
Having no money at all is no joke especially if you need to get to
somewhere or have to buy food. CY can advise you about what
to do. If you have a child you may be entitled to Child Benefit,
Income Support, Working Tax Credit etc.

If you are on your own you may be entitled to benefits such as Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance, Hardship Payment or a Crisis Loan
in an emergency. The benefit system is particularly complicated for
16/17 year olds so contact CY for advice or go to Advice/Information -
Money for more information and who else to contact.
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I am pregnant and need some advice about benefits,
housing, maternity rights. Can you help?

If you are pregnant and have decided to go ahead with the pregnancy, you may need some help and advice with such issues
as benefits, housing and maternity rights. The Youth Work Team
can help you claim the benefits you are entitled to which may include Income Support, Sure Start Maternity Grant, Statutory Maternity
Pay, Maternity Allowance or Working Tax Credit. Contact CY or go
to Advice/Information - Money for more information and who else
to contact.

You may be living at home with family or you be unable to stay and are looking for accommodation on your own or with a partner.
CY
can give you advice.
Contact CY or go to useful contacts- Housing for more information and who else to contact.

If you are working you have maternity rights at work. These include time off to attend antenatal clinics and maternity leave from work before and after the baby is born. Contact CY or go to Useful contacts - Employment.

All these issues depends on your own individual circumstances so contact CY for further help and advice.

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I am being bullied at school. Can you help?
Yes, CY can help. We can listen to you to find out what help you need.
We can give you information which might help you deal with the bullies
and talk to you about what your school may be able to do to help.
Some young people find that coming to CY for counselling helps.
We can make you an appointment if you want one.
Give CY a ring on 0161 480 9600 or go to useful contacts

 

COUNSELLING FAQ's

What is it like going for counselling?
Most people when they come to see a counsellor for the first time feel very nervous and scared and don’t know what to expect.
All they know is that they feel bad inside and hope that by talking
to someone this may help them feel better about themselves.

The counsellors at CY are used to young people with these feelings, and try to help them get out what is bothering them without judging them. They will respect young people’s right to make their own choices and decisions.
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Will the counsellor tell anyone about me?

The counsellor will not tell anybody outside the Central Youth service
anything about you, or your problems. The only time a counsellor would consider doing so, would be if they felt you, or someone else were in
serious danger.

The counsellor would try and talk to you first about their
concerns before talking to anyone else.
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Who will be my counsellor?

The counsellors at Central Youth are experienced at working with young people and all have had formal counselling training.

Will I have to pay?
The counselling is free and you will not be asked to pay anything.

How many times will I need to see the counsellor?
This is difficult to answer because some people feel that one session has helped them enough, but others feel they would like more time with the counsellor. The counsellor will help you decide how often you would like to see them. We usually offer a maximum of 12 sessions. If you feel you need longer than this we can help you access other services that can offer you longer counselling.
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How long does each session last?

Each session lasts about 45 minutes.

How do I make an appointment?
Make an appointment by calling into CY Mon - Fri 1-4pm or by ringing 480 9600 during opening times.

How can I find out if counselling can help me?
When you first come along to see the counsellor, you can talk through whether counselling would be helpful to you. If you both decide that counselling would not be beneficial to you at this time, the counsellor may be able to refer you to another service which would be more able to meet your needs.

What times can I come?
The counsellors see young people during the following times: -
Tuesday 10 - 4pm
Wednesday 10am – 4pm
Wednesday 6 - 8pm
Thursday 5pm – 8pm
Fridays 10-2pm
Saturday 10 - 12noon

However you can ring or drop in and make an appointment anytime between 1-4pm Mondays to Friday.
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What if I’m still not sure?
If you are feeling unsure about whether counselling can help you,
or you would like to have a chat about our counselling service,
then you can ask at reception to speak to one of the
counsellors or you can phone us.

 

Sexual Health and Contraception FAQ’s

Will anybody tell my parents that I’ve been to CY?
CY is a confidential service……see Confidentiality.

Can I get the pill if I’m under 16?
Yes you can.
Nurses and Doctors work to legal guidelines set out by the House of Lords. These are called the Fraser Guidelines. Following these guidelines enables medical staff to treat young people under the age of 16 if needed.

I’ve missed one of my pills, what should I do?
It depends which pill you have missed. The easiest thing to do is to either
ring us or call in for advice and have your pill packet with you, so we can
give you the best advice. You may need emergency contraception.

How long have I got to get emergency contraception?
You have 72 hours from the time you have sex to take emergency contraception, but the earlier you take it the better.
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I think I’m pregnant what do I do?
Pregnancy tests are free at CY. You can call in during the open door
sessions or during clinic times and the nurse can advise you if a
pregnancy test is needed and will carry out a test if it is needed.
If the test is positive and you are pregnant, we will discuss the
options with you so that you can make an informed decision
about your future.

How do I get an abortion?
If you are pregnant and don’t feel you can continue with the pregnancy. The doctors at CY can refer you to the hospital
for an abortion. This is a free service.
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I’m worried I might have a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI)
At CY we can screen young women for chlamydia and bacterial infections. We can also provide treatment for some infections.
We can’t however screen for all STI’s but we can discuss your concerns with you.

The GUM (genito-urinary medicine ) clinic based at Stepping Hill Hospital will give you confidential screening for sexually transmitted infections and give any treatment necessary – they won’t even tell your GP.

To speak to a health advisor at GUM Tel: 419 5377/ 5378
To make an appointment Tel: 419 5370/ 5371

Don’t 4get
Always use a CONDOM!

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