If you’re flying from Birmingham Airport next week, make sure you look out for the Terrence Higgins Trust stand in the departures lounge of the main airport.  For the third year running, the charity’s Midlands centre is working with Birmingham Airport to give out condoms and health promotion advice to young people flying off to European sun, sea and sand destinations. 

Jackie Redding, Regional Manager for Terrence Higgins Trust Midlands said: “When you’re setting off on holiday, it’s easy to forget about condoms and sexual health, but it’s important to make sure you don’t come back from your holiday with more than you bargained for. 

"Our stand at Birmingham Airport has loads of information and advice, as well as free condoms, E111 forms and other travel information. We’ll be there every day from Saturday 2nd to Sunday 10th August, so make sure you drop by and see us before you fly.”

The stand is aimed at 18 to 30 year olds travelling to popular summer destinations such as Ibiza, Aya Napa and Magaluf.  It coincides with Sexual Health Week, which runs from 4th to 10th August. 

Jackie continued: “Rates of sexually transmitted infections are at record levels, and young people are particularly at risk. Last year, more than two thirds of women diagnosed with gonorrhoea were aged between 16 and 19.”

Ends

Notes to editors

• According to research carried out for Terrence Higgins Trust , two thirds of the public don’t think young people are given enough information about the risks of unprotected sex - a concern echoed by two thirds of young people themselves
• The survey also found that almost a third of 18-24 year-olds think there is a cure for HIV
• Terrence Higgins Trust Midlands provides a range of HIV and sexual health services across the West Midlands and has offices in Coventry, Birmingham and Wolverhampton
• Sexual Health Week is co-ordinated by the fpa. Further information is available from fpa’s press office on 020 7923 5202/5201