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Healthy Young People Southwark
A health and wellbeing service for under 25s in Southwark provided by Brook and Change, Grow, Live (CGL) and funded by Southwark Council.
In response to COVID-19, most healthcare services are experiencing limitations and it might be harder than normal to access sexual health and substance use services.
Updated: Thursday 10th February 2022
Accessing HYP Services
Until further notice, we will be carrying out telephone consultations leading to face to face appointment where required. If clients arrive at a clinic without an appointment we may be unable to see them and our staff will arrange an alternative time for them to return.
Please do not visit our services if you have tested positive or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. During this time, we will be offering phone consultations where possible.
Drop ins on Mondays and Thursdays at Cambridge House will not be running, but we can arrange to see you by appointment only. Our current appointment days are Tuesdays and Thursdays.
For all enquiries please call: 07500 971857 or email: southwark@brook.org.uk.
For any urgent enquiries please call:
Harriet Jacobs, Clinical Nurse Specialist: 07920465771 (Sexual Health)
Jack Kirby-Lowe, Service Manager: 07920465048
Services within schools may be affected, however our teams will be contactable by telephone and email. We are still accepting referrals as usual.
LOOKING AFTER YOUR SEXUAL HEALTH WHEN SERVICES ARE LIMITED
To keep yourself safe we recommend:
Check out the sections on our website for information and guidance on sexual health, relationships, substance use, wellbeing and more.
EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION
If you need emergency contraception, you should not delay as it is only effective for a short period of time after unprotected sex. The method of emergency contraception you use will depend on how long ago you had unprotected sex. More information about the different types of emergency contraception and how they work.
Emergency contraception is available from HYP services for free (please call for an appointment), other sexual health services and pharmacies (usually free for under 25s).
Alternatively, you can order the emergency contraceptive pill from SHL (Sexual Health London) for free.
STI TESTING
If you don’t have any symptoms or mild symptoms, have had unprotected sex and want an STI test, you can order one online for free from SHL (Sexual Health London) and have it sent to you to complete and return.
If you are experiencing symptoms of an STI, it is important that you see a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. This could be an HYP service (please call for an appointment), another sexual health service or a GP.
REPEAT CONTRACEPTION – PILL, PATCH AND RING
If you will run out of your pill, patch or ring in the next week or two, contact the place you get it from now to find out how you can get more. Don’t leave it until the last minute. Brook services (please call to discuss), GPs and other sexual health services can all prescribe the pill.
Alternatively, you can order the pill, patch and ring for free from SHL (Sexual Health London).
If you do run out, use an alternative method of contraception. We recommend condoms – they’re easy to get and also protect against STIs.
ABORTION SERVICES
If you are pregnant and you need to access abortion services, you can call HYP, another sexual health service or a GP for guidance on referrals and what steps you should take at this time.
You can also contact:
HIV AND COVID-19
Please see information about HIV and COVID-19 and accessing PEP from the Terrance Higgins Trust.
SUBSTANCE USE WITHIN THIS TIME
The way you get help from your service is likely to change for a while, but please know that our workers are still here for you. You can still contact us if you need any information or support.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I CAN’T CONTACT MY RESISTANCE WORKER?
Please call one of the phone numbers listed above, and another member of staff will be able to help you.
WHAT CAN I DO TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ME CATCHING COVID-19 WHEN DRINKING OR TAKING DRUGS?
WILL COVID-19 AFFECT THE DRUGS I USE?
As COVID-19 has affected global movement, we’re expecting some changes to drug supply. You might find that the drugs you pick up are a different strength or purity. This means that there might be a chance the drugs you take are not what you are expecting. Please be careful.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I CAN’T ACCESS ALCOHOL?
You might be worried about getting support if you have an alcohol dependency. If you are dependent on alcohol and you stop drinking suddenly, it can cause extremely harmful withdrawal symptoms. A member of our team can help you stay safe, so please contact us.
OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES
MENTAL HEALTH AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
If you or someone you know needs help right now, you should, if possible, try to talk to a parent, carer or trusted adult. If that’s not possible, there are other sources of help and support: