Bangor University Students’ Union English Language Newspaper
October 2014 Issue No. 242 FREE
@SerenBangor
seren.bangor.ac.uk
STREET SAMBA
HALLOWEEN SPECIAL
Sex in the Student’s Union Before giving your V-Card; get your C-Card SU supports safe sex scheme
by IDA VÄISÄNEN
T
he best things in life are free and Bangor University’s Student Union is opening a treasure chest of inexpensive joys, offering students access to free condoms and sexual health advice as a part of the “All Wales C-Card (Condom Card) Scheme”. The C-Card Scheme provides a sexual health service for young people under the age of 25, offering free condoms, information and advice. A young person registered with the scheme carries a card, on which is a personal identification number, that allows the service provider to monitor access whilst maintaining user confidentiality. C-Card Schemes provide an opportunity to support young people in safely managing their sexual health, which is a better option than general condom distribution schemes where condoms are freely available to take at will, in any quantity, without appro-
priate advice and information. At the Students’ Union two sabbatical officers - Lydia and Guto - as well as three members of staff at reception - Rachelle, Dawn and Sharon - are trained to allocate the C-Card. The confidential service is an excellent opportunity for a student to ask questions and learn about sexual health. The service is available at Students’ Union, Student Services and JMJ halls on certain days. Lydia Richardson (VP Education and Welfare) commented on the scheme, saying: “I believe that this will be a really important campaign as it gives Bangor students the opportunity to have local access throughout the University to sexual health advice.” “The fact that all of the condoms given out to students are completely free and the only thing that students need to do is register a chosen name and birth date, means that the service is very cost effective and ensure a
high standard of sexual health awareness for all students without having to spend extortionate amounts on contraception in supermarkets.” From the Seren point of view the Ccard scheme does offer great things; free contraception with some advice and information on the side. University students might already be self-educated on this matter, compared to the scheme’s usual clientele of high school age. Still, some good advice never hurt anyone and putting something on the end of it is certainly something everyone needs to remember while wandering in the temptations of student life! To obtain a C-Card, students can register with the staff in Students’ Union (Monday to Friday 9am-4:30pm), Student Services (Monday to Friday 9am-4.30pm) or Neuadd JMJ Halls (Tuesday and Wednesday 1pm-5pm).
STUDY ABROAD