And just like that, it was Welcome Week… Starting university can be daunting, but it’s also an exciting and fun time! Many students will be moving away from home, and living on their own for the first time. Between kissing in clubs and pub crawls, things can all get a little hectic; however, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to push yourself. You can go at your own pace and don’t have to make ourself uncomfortable just to chase the ‘uni experience’.
With a new environment and city comes a new sexual health service. Between the University and York’s sexual health service, YorSexual Health, there are many ways to access support for your sexual health.
Sexual Health on Campus
Many first-year students and some returning students will be living on campus. College receptions provide free condoms and pregnancy tests. I was a Fresher during September 2023 and my college, Anne Lister, even had a big mixing bowl filled with condoms in the College Hub, so it was easily accessible.
Some places on campus offer a more extensive selection of sexual health supplies. According to York SU’s website, their condom corners stock: condoms, dental dams, pregnancy tests, lubricants, chlamydia tests, and YorSexual Health information. These can all be accessed at the Students’ Union help desk.
Sexual Health off Campus
Whilst you do not need to be registered with a GP to access YorSexual Health services, it is still worth registering with them. Speaking from experience, Freshers’ Flu can and will humble you in ways you have not been humbled before. There are also some services YorSexual Health cannot provide. For example, if you are over 20 years old, they cannot provide you with the repeat contraceptive pill, vaginal rings, or patches.
Additionally, if you are under 20, they will not be able to supply you with repeat injectable contraception. Unity Health is the closest to campus, located right next to Campus East. YorSexual Health will be your go-to for most things sexual health-related. They provide bookable clinics Monday through Saturday and walk-in clinics Monday through Wednesday.
They provide an extensive list of services such as: contraception and emergency contraception, STI testing, postal testing VIA SH.UK (under certain criteria), PEP self-referral sexual health counselling, and support regarding unplanned pregnancy.
I recently had my contraceptive implant exchanged with YorSexual Health, and it was a really easy process. I just had to call up (be aware you may have to wait to get through to someone as the lines can be busy) and give them some information about myself, and then I was given an appointment.
Pharmacies are another way to access sexual health services. CityWide Health pharmacies provide the option to initiate or restart the contraceptive pill (the combined oral contraception and the progesterone-only pill).
Accessing support for sexual violence
If you, or someone you know, has been a victim of sexual violence, there is support available to you. The University has Sexual Violence Liason Officers, SVLOs, who offer support and guidance to people who have experienced sexual violence and can help refer you for further support. It does not have to be a recent experience; you can access support about an event that has happened at any point in your life.
You can contact them by using their contact form or by emailing [email protected]. From a student’s perspective, I have used this service and found it to be a safe space and very beneficial, and easy to access. There is no shame in reaching out for help.
You can also report student or staff misconduct through the University’s report and support system.