C Card What is a C Card?

C Card is a new service in Ayrshire and Arran offering you access to free condoms with minimum embarrassment, or fuss. Condoms offer protection against some of the sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea and HIV.
How does it work? The scheme is quite simple, you attend a 'Sign Up Point' and receive a card, that allows you to pick up condoms at a range of 'Collection Points' across Ayrshire and Arran.

How do I get a card? To obtain a card you need to sign up, this involves a short confidential discussion with a Sign Up Facilitator, they will talk about condoms use, what to do if a condoms bursts, sexually transmitted infections and, if necessary, sexual health or relationship issues, and they will direct you to other professionals, if necessary.
Although the Sign Up F acilitator will asked for you name, address and age, the only information that you have to give is the first part of your postcode and your date of birth. You will then be given your C Card.

What happens once I've registered? Once you have signed up to the scheme and have been given your CCard, you can access any of the Collection Points, show them your card and receive a free supply of 12 condoms. It couldn't be simpler! Most of our local pharmacists are collection points.

What if I am under 16? If you're under 16, to register for C Card you will have to go to one of the special C Card sites especially for people under 16. At these sites you will have a chat with one of the Sign Up Facilitators before you can get condoms. All staff are friendly and welcoming and will not tell anyone about the discussion unless they think you are at risk of serious harm. They will always consult you before telling anyone else.

The law says that you are not allowed to have sex under the age of 16 but there is no law against a young person having condoms. Sometimes people start sexual relationships before they are 16, or they may want to try out condoms on their own to see what they're like. If you are under 16 you can access confidential support or services on offer to adults as long as workers believe that you are capable of understanding the information provided to you.
If you are concerned about any sexual health issue, such as pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, or relationships, please think about speaking to your school nurse or go along to a Young Person's sexual health clinic, details of when these are on are available on www.shayr.com