Mystery Shoppers a success!
Nine ‘mystery shoppers’ have been testing out sexual health services in Nuneaton and Bedworth on behalf of Warwickshire’s Respect Yourself Campaign.
During the six-month project, a group of 16 to 20-year-old volunteers were recruited to check how easily accessible and user-friendly services are. They visited 20 services including community pharmacists, sexual health services and specialist young people’s services.
The mystery shoppers acted “under cover”, presenting problems such as pregnancy scares, needing emergency contraception and fears about sexually transmitted infections.
In most cases, the Mystery Shoppers had a positive experience and awarded services with a ‘kite-mark’ to show that it was ‘young people friendly’. Other services received feedback and will receive another visit after Christmas.
Helen Fielden, Respect Yourself Campaign Co-ordinator, said: “The project has been a success and we are very pleased with the feedback received from our mystery shoppers.
“It helps us ensure that young people get relationship and sexual health information that is easily accessible and user-friendly, so they can make informed choices.”
The project is expected to roll out to other areas in the County next year – with this year’s volunteers acting as peer educators.
Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People and Families, said: “It’s great to see how young people are ensuring other young people are able to get accurate information when they need it and I congratulate them for their hard work.”
For more information about relationships and sexual health, visit http://www.respectyourself.info.