Going to university is an extremely daunting thing, but the attitudes and pressures that surround the university are at a different level. We are all young adults when we start university, and it is our first time truly being free, hence why hook-up culture is so rife. There are no parents around so having sex is easy and common, however, it is also a very scary experience for most. Although Warwick has its reputation, there are some services available if you ever need help, advice, to learn about sex or even just a condom.
Sexpression Warwick
Sexpression UK is a national charity run by university students, and Warwick has its own branch! They are an amazing group of people who have grown tired of the way certain topics surrounding sexual health, consent and relationships are talked about, or more damagingly, not talked about. They run weekly ‘discuss’ sessions, POP! welfare stands, student-led talks, and many more. My favourite is their annual SHAG (sexual health and guidance) Fest in the middle of February where they hand out condoms whilst dressed as a giant willy, play fun games, and all-in-all spread a very much-needed message about sexual health. They aim to teach proper sex ed in schools around Coventry and Warwick, especially about bodily changes, STIs, safer sex, contraception, sex, consent, relationships and abuse, sexual orientation and gender identity and sex and the media.
If you ever need advice or want to learn more about your sexual health, sexpression is the way to go! Their ‘discuss’ sessions are a super safe space and would provide insight into all things sex. They are also working with the SU to provide free condoms for everyone to make sex at university safer! @sexpression.wariwck is an amazing place to go for a guide to safer sex.
Nightline
Nightline is a student-run, confidential, and nonjudgmental peer-to-peer support listening service. It is open from 9 pm to 9 am every night of term, and its trained volunteers are happy to listen to anything you wish to discuss. Nothing is too difficult or too trivial to be worth mentioning, hence why I am adding them to my guide, they will 100% help with any sexual health issues. They do their best to be approachable and it should definitely be known to every Warwick student that you really can talk to them about whatever you like and this will be held in the strictest of confidence. They also provide pregnancy tests, attack alarms, condoms, tampons, sanitary towels, lube and earplugs for free, all you need to do is request them!! They are an amazing service that should definitely be given more praise at Warwick.
the Warwick su
The SU is committed to supporting students to make informed decisions about their sexual health and improving access to services such as sexual health testing and access to safer sex materials.
Recently, although this is not known to many, the Warwick SU has created the Locker 21 Scheme. The SU keeps a limited stock of safer sex materials and menstrual care products which are available to students for free. You can request free latex or non-latex condoms, lube sachets and dental dams on the SU website and these will be available to collect from Locker 21 on the ground floor of the SU Headquarters within 24 hours.
Furthermore, the University of Warwick Health Centre can provide limited testing and confidential advice regarding sexual health and STIs, including screening for Chlamydia and HIV. They currently do not offer self-testing kits, but those are available to order from the NHS in general!