Warwickshire News Mine

The ‘Respect’ music DVD, which is all about staying safe, will be previewed along with other artwork on the Saturday before Valentine’s Day (10 February) at a special event in Nuneaton.  The Love Safe stand, which will be running from 10am-2pm at the Ropewalk Shopping Centre in Nuneaton, will highlight Warwickshire Teenage Pregnancy Partnership’s key messages:

· It’s ok to say NO if someone suggest you have sex.

· If you do decide to have sex, make sure you are ready and safe (i.e. safer sex - using a condom or femidom)

· Having sex without protection means that you may be at risk of pregnancy and STIs.

· If you do find yourself pregnant, you do have options and there is help and support available for you.

· Teenage pregnancy, contraception and sexual health are issues for young men too, not just young women.

· Comprehensive advice and support is available for young people in Warwickshire at http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/respectyourself

Help will be on hand to signpost young people to where they can receive sexual health advice in a creative and visual way, created by young people for young people in addition to a host of other services.

Young people who have been specially trained by Health Promotion professionals will be on the stand signposting to specialist services which include Nuneaton and Bedworth Leisure Trust, Connexions, Health Store and other service providers including the Chlamydia Screening Coordinator.

The music and DVD project was produced with Hybrid:Arts and commissioned by Nuneaton and Bedworth Health and Wellbeing Partnership. Three 16-year-old artists from Leamington called Strypez, DJ42Floor and Gritter produced the music, lyrics, storyboarding and filming for the DVD.

Sixteen-year-old artist Strypez who worked on the project said: “The Respect track is all about raising awareness of sex, teenage pregnancy and unprotected sex – things that are going on everyday that people ignore. We need to address the subject and help as much as we can.”

Amy Barnes Teenage Pregnancy Coordinator for Warwickshire County Council said: “Young people may be more inclined to take risks with their sexual health around Valentine’s Day. That’s why, in an effort to make sure that young people enjoy Valentine’s Day in a safe and responsible way, we’re keen to highlight the number of services available where people can receive free, confidential sexual health advice and contraception.”

Link to WCC