STI Workshops – Facts and Awareness
STI Workshops – Educating Young People About Sexual Health
At 2020 Dreams, we believe that sexual health and awareness are essential for young people to make informed decisions about their bodies and relationships. That’s why we offer STI workshops designed to educate young people about the importance of sexual health and awareness.
As soon as the first signs of puberty strike, the clock is ticking. Parents, teachers, community groups and health professionals need to act quickly to ensure children get hold of STI facts that are accurate and really drive home the dangers of unprotected – and even protected – sex.
Contracting a sexually transmitted disease, also known as an STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease), STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) or VD (venereal disease), is no laughing matter and can range in severity from embarrassing and uncomfortable to fatal. The STI facts that children and teens pick up from one another are often dangerously inaccurate, particularly if there is an agenda involved, which is why those STD facts need to come from a reputable source.
2020 Dreams STI Awareness workshops can help your school or young person’s institute to educate young people in a way that is entertaining, engaging and effective.
Key Topics for an Effective STI Workshop for Young People
Here are some of the topics that could be covered in an STI workshop for young people:
- What are STIs? – Explaining what STIs are and how they can be transmitted.
- Common STIs – Information about the most common STIs, including chlamydia, gonorrhoea, herpes, human papillomavirus (HPV), and HIV/AIDS.
- Symptoms – Symptoms and signs of STIs, including what to look out for and when to seek medical attention.
- Prevention – Ways to prevent the transmission of STIs, such as safe sex practices, using condoms, and getting tested regularly.
- Myths and misconceptions – Dispelling common myths and misconceptions about STIs, such as the belief that using two condoms is more effective or that STIs can only be transmitted through vaginal sex.
- Communication – Encouraging open communication with sexual partners and healthcare professionals about sexual health and seeking help if needed.
- Consent and healthy relationships – Discuss the importance of consent and healthy relationships, including respecting boundaries and practicing safe sex.
- Treatment – Providing information about available treatments for STIs, including antibiotics, antivirals, and vaccinations.
- Emotional impact – Highlighting the emotional impact of having an STI and the importance of seeking emotional support.
Why STI Awareness Workshops are Important
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common, and their transmission can be prevented through proper education and preventive measures. Young people are at high risk of contracting STIs, and the long-term health complications can be severe if left untreated. Therefore, STI awareness is crucial for young people to make informed decisions about their sexual health.
Our STI Workshops: Facts and Awareness
Our STI workshops are tailored to meet the specific needs of different age groups and settings, including schools, youth clubs, and community centres. Our experienced facilitators use interactive activities and games to engage young people and ensure they retain the information provided.
Our STI workshops cover a range of essential STI facts, including:
Here’s a breakdown of the topics covered in our STI workshops:
- Understanding what STIs are and how they are transmitted: Our workshops provide accurate information about sexually transmitted infections, including the various types of STIs and how they can be contracted through sexual contact.
- Recognising the signs and symptoms of common STIs: We discuss the symptoms of common STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, herpes, and HIV. This helps young people to identify potential STIs and seek medical attention if necessary.
- Dispelling myths and misconceptions about STIs: We debunk common misconceptions about STIs that can prevent young people from seeking help and treatment.
- Encouraging open communication about sexual health: Our workshops create a safe space for young people to discuss their concerns and ask questions about sexual health. We also provide guidance on how to talk to partners and healthcare professionals about sexual health.
- Exploring the importance of consent and safe sex practices: We emphasise the importance of practising safe sex and obtaining consent in sexual relationships. This includes the proper use of condoms and other forms of contraception, as well as discussing healthy relationship boundaries.
Overall, our STI workshops are designed to provide young people with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed decisions about their sexual health and reduce the spread of STIs. By covering these topics, we hope to equip young people with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their sexual health and reduce the spread of STIs.
Key Stats*
- According to Public Health England, in 2020, there were over 468,000 diagnoses of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) made in England.
- In 2020, young people aged 15-24 accounted for 62% of all chlamydia diagnoses and 50% of all gonorrhoea diagnoses in England.
- In 2020, there were 7,385 new diagnoses of HIV in the UK, with 52% of these occurring in gay and bisexual men aged 15-34.
- The number of cases of syphilis and gonorrhoea in the UK has increased significantly in recent years. Between 2010 and 2019, cases of syphilis increased by 165%, and cases of gonorrhea increased by 249%.
- Condoms are an effective method of preventing the transmission of STIs, yet a survey conducted by the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV found that only 36% of sexually active young people aged 16-24 use condoms every time they have sex.
These statistics highlight the importance of STI awareness and education for young people in the UK, as well as the need for preventive measures such as condom use to reduce the transmission of STIs.
Exploring Attitudes to Sexual Relationships
A 2020 Dreams STI Awareness workshop does more than just present the STD facts to young people. Through open forum discussions, carefully managed by our experienced facilitators, children and older teens get to explore their attitudes around sex and to really think about whether the many physical and emotional risks (from STDs and unplanned pregnancy to anxieties about sexual performance and body image) are really worth the short-lived thrills of sexual activity.
Students will be reminded that they always have a choice and that they should never feel pressurised or coerced into having sex when they are not ready. Through drama-based role-plays, young people will be given the opportunity to practise the skills needed to deflect peer pressure in a way that preserves dignity and increases self-esteem.
To cover all bases, the workshop will also include the different forms of contraception available, including which ones can protect against both STIs and pregnancy. Students will be made aware that the only 100% effective method of avoiding STDs is to abstain from sex altogether.
STI Awareness and the National Curriculum
The National Curriculum stipulates that all children have to have PSHE education and that Key Stage Three and Four children must also be taught about Sex and Relationships.
Effective Sex and Relationships education has to include up-to-date STI facts, and a focused 2020 Dreams STD Awareness workshop will ensure that students receive the latest information, giving teachers the confidence that nothing has been missed and no inaccurate STD facts have slipped through. Children may also be more comfortable asking awkward questions to a stranger rather than to teachers that they will then have to see every day.
Dealing with Sensitive Situations
It is possible that some students may already be concerned about an STI infection and may confide in our facilitators. All of our workshop leaders are trained to be alert to this possibility and to provide sensitive and accurate advice.
STDs and other sexual materials also have the potential to cause embarrassment, particularly with children from certain cultures. 2020 Dreams have run workshops for all kinds of demographics, throughout the UK, and you can rest assured that our workshop content will not cause undue discomfort or distress.
Contact Us Today
At 2020 Dreams, we are committed to delivering high-quality workshops that are both educational and fun. Our STI workshops are designed to equip young people with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their sexual health. If you’re interested in booking an STI workshop for your school, youth club, or community centre, please get in touch with us today. Let’s work together to raise STI
