The 'Need Protection, Use Contraception' campaign, which is being jointly facilitated by the Children & Young People’s Trust and the DECCA (Drug Education, Counselling and Confidential Advice) Team to raise awareness of the importance of using contraception to prevent an unexpected pregnancy or sexually transmitted infection, as well as raising awareness of local services that are available to young people in Sandwell during the summer period and beyond.

The campaign began in April and will finish September 2009.  It was advertised on Galaxy Radio between 6th April-1st May 2009 through a drive time sponsorship with the tag lines listed below:

*Drive…with Our Guide To.co.uk – click for information on sexual health and contraception

*Drive…with Our Guide To.co.uk – we’ve got it covered, make sure you have.

*Drive…with Our Guide To.co.uk – sound advice if you’re growing up in Sandwell.

*Drive…with Our Guide To.co.uk – get switched on with the facts on drinking and smoking.

We will be advertising further with Galaxy in late June and then sponsoring drive time with Kerrang FM from Monday 20th July until Friday 14th August (4 weeks) with tag lines currently being devised.

We would like to thank everyone who is supporting this year’s publicity campaign by displaying the attached posters and distributing the information cards in area’s accessed by young people.  Both of the posters have been designed and developed in consultation with young people and for the first time we are aiming gender specific messages by using different imagery.  This was at the request of some young people who felt previous campaigns have lent either toward male or female. With separate posters we hope to address this.

Both posters have also been advertised in the Voice 21 magazine, which is a magazine for young people that seeks to promote and raise awareness of health and other issues of concern to them. The magazine is aimed at young people between the ages of 13 and 19.  The Voice 21 magazine will be distributed free to young people who live in the Borough of Sandwell in the West Midlands. Copies of the magazine are available at all the school libraries, youth clubs, leisure centres and other public places of Sandwell.

Young people can also be directed to the http://www.ourguideto.co.uk/ website that contains information on drugs, alcohol, sexual health, teenage pregnancy and a comprehensive list of services that are available to young people in Sandwell.

Further resources such as posters, information cards and condom wallets are available to order until the 31st August 2009 by contacting Anna on the details below.

For any other information about this campaign please contact; Anna Kaur on 0121 612 1690 or Jon Bull on 0845 8385317.