The C-Card scheme provides free condoms and support for specialist services working with young people between the ages of 13 and 24 with the aim of reducing the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)and the number of unintended teenage pregnancies.

By becoming a member of the scheme, distributors can provide positive safer sex education and increase community access to condoms across Dorset. Condoms are more likely to be used if they are freely available, and there is a variety of condoms to meet personal preferences.

Members of the scheme help to normalise condom use to populations who may be reluctant to use traditional services, raise awareness of sexual health and increase referrals into mainstream sexual health services.

This scheme also supports the national chlamydia screening programme. As part of the C-card scheme, distributors can stock chlamydia screening kits to encourage young people to have regular screening part of their sexual health.

Training is provided and includes information on sexual health, condom demonstrations, chlamydia screening, an overview of the C-card programme and how to obtain supplies.

If you are interested in becoming a C-Card distributor, please contact our sexual health outreach team at dhc.sexualhealth.promotion@nhs.net.