The C Card Co-ordinator supports the Wigan Teenage Pregnancy Strategy by the development and management of both the C Card Scheme and TIC TAC Bus (Teenage Information Centre, Teenage Advice Centre) within the borough.
Wigan’s C Card condom distribution scheme was implemented in April 2005 with the aim of increasing accessibility, acceptability and availability of condoms to young people. The C Card Scheme allows young people under 19 to access condoms and sexual health advice confidentially at locations and times that are suited to them.
The C Card Scheme is not just about issuing free condoms; it is also about providing young people with support, guidance and accurate information so that they are able to make better informed, safe and responsible decisions about their sexual health and practice.
Training and support is provided to all professionals involved in the C Card Scheme, reinforcing good practice in their sexual health work with young people. It has been recognised that all agencies/staff working with children and young people have a responsibility to address sexual health issues with them. The C Card Scheme offers partner agencies and their staff a process by which to begin to address these areas. All C Card trained staff are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to address sexual health in its broadest sense with young people in Wigan. All staff are also given training on ‘Delay’, which aims to give young people the skills and confidence to resist pressure to have early sex.
TIC TAC Bus
The TIC TAC Bus is a confidential, mobile information and advice centre for young people at times and locations to suit them, where personal and health issues can be discussed in a friendly, non-judgmental manner.
The TIC TAC Bus is staffed with approachable, trained and experienced workers in a friendly relaxed atmosphere tailored to teenagers’ needs. The TIC TAC Bus encourages young people, through ongoing support, to make informed choices about their healthcare and lifestyle and to take responsibility for their own behaviour.
The key aims of the TIC TAC Bus are to reduce teenage conception rates in the 6 identified ‘Hot Spot’ areas of Abram, Atherton, Ince, Leigh Central, Newtown and Norley, to increase awareness of health / sexual health issues amongst young people and in particular to engage young men.
All young people are welcome to access the service to talk to TIC TAC workers about any issues that affect them. Some of the issues addressed on the TIC TAC Bus include Sexual Health, Contraception and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), Smoking, Friendships and Relationships, Drugs and Alcohol, School, College or Work Life, Home and Family Life, Bullying and Health Issues such as Testicular Cancer, Breast Cancer, Smear Tests. Young people can also access the C Card Scheme via the TIC TAC Bus.
