Mystery shoppers rate Warwick sexual health services
A team of ‘mystery shoppers’ has branded 15 sexual health services in and around Warwick as ‘Young person friendly’, as part of a scheme set up by Warwickshire’s Respect Yourself Campaign.
Thirteen young people from Aylesford School – A specialist Language and Music College – joined the Warwickshire County Council service on work experience in June.
Following three days of extensive relationship and sexual health training, they visited a number of different organisations around the district such as GP practices, pharmacists that provide emergency contraception, and specialist sexual health services.
They scored each service using guidance from the Department of Health’s ‘You’re Welcome’ quality criteria including length of waiting times, availability of services and types of facilities.
Fifteen services were awarded a ‘young person friendly’ sticker, which they will display in their window. Seven services just missed out on the status – they will be offered recommendations and visited again at a later date to see if improvements have been made.
This is the second area visited as part of the scheme – last year mystery shoppers visited and assessed a number of sexual health services in Nuneaton and Bedworth. It is hoped other areas of the county will be visited in the coming months.
Amy Danahay, Respect Yourself Campaign Manager, said: “It is encouraging to see that the majority of services in Warwick visited by the mystery shoppers were awarded the ‘young person friendly’ status.
“For those services that just missed out, we will be working with them to help improve how they are perceived by young people and re-visit them at a later date to see how things have changed.
“The scheme aims to ensure all sexual health services are accessible to young people, held in a relaxed and friendly environment, and most importantly offer up to date and accurate information and advice.”
Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People and Families, said: “The mystery shoppers project is a great way for young people to help other young people find the information they need to help with their lifestyle choices.
“It also often helps students involved build confidence and develop skills such as team building and decision-making, which they can use in every day situations.”
To find out more information about Warwickshire’s Respect Yourself Campaign or sexual health, visit http://www.respectyourself.info.