Sexual health service launches in Hackney to tackle ‘unfair and avoidable’ inequalities

Reproductive health supplies. Photograph: courtesy Hackney Council

A new sexual and reproductive health service launched in Hackney this month with the aim of supporting the borough’s global majority residents.

Delivered by Mile End organisation Positive East, ‘Project Community – Good Sexual Health for all in City and Hackney’, hopes to empower residents as well as arm them with the necessary tools to look after their sexual wellbeing.

The service will provide contraceptives, both routine and emergency, free condoms and lubricant gels, free STI testing as well as information on how residents can best protect themselves from infection.

Town Hall health boss Cllr Chris Kennedy said: “We are delighted to be working with Positive East, an organisation that is very well-respected locally for its work on championing sexual and reproductive health rights.

“We know that inequalities in this area persist – including within many of our Black and other global majority communities locally.

“These inequalities are unfair and avoidable and we are committed to tackling and reducing them.”

It is hoped that the project will have a wide reach, with plans for it to operate in GP surgeries, health centres, clubs, bars, and faith spaces.

Other local partners including small charities, which will be involved in the development process.

The project will oversee the training of sexual health community champions and peer mentors who can offer support to faith and other community leaders.

To find out more and access the services provided by Project Community, visit positiveeast.org.uk/hccommunity.