Guide to contraception for people with learning disabilities

A new easy read guide to methods of contraception and information on local Sexual Health Services has been created for people who have a learning disability.

The guide has been developed for those working with people who have a learning disability to help initial discussions before referring on to a specialist service for further advice.

The information is presented in mostly pictorial form with notes for the worker to aid discussion. It is hoped that it will facilitate and enhance discussions, when relevant and appropriate, to enable a more comfortable discussion on the potentially sensitive subject.

Sue Holmes from The Eddystone Trust and Angie Wake from the Plymouth Community Healthcare Contraception Service have been working in partnership with Plymouth Highbury Trust and The Michael Batt Foundation to create the information.

Angie Wake from Plymouth Community Healthcare said: "We needed a resource that we could use with men and women with learning disabilities to outline contraception and some aspects of sexual health.

"We decided to work together and create something that we could use. There are resources around but none in a format that could be easily used with individuals."

Sue Holmes from The Eddystone Trust said: "Developing this resource has been challenging as well as rewarding. After three years of hard work we all feel a real sense of achievement and look forward to launching this resource."

Jenny Hoare, from Harbour Drug & Alcohol Services, said: "Having worked in and around the sexual health field for 10 years with both young people and adults, I was pleased to hear that some guidance has finally been written and produced with a view to supporting people with learning disabilities.

"Plymouth has a wide variety of services that support young people and young adults with their sexual health needs, but I believe there was a gap for both service users and practitioners in delivering accessible information in an understandable way.

"I am impressed by the way it has been put together as a very accessible tool for professionals and I look forward to putting it into use."

To find out more on how you can get a copy of this resource please contact The Eddystone Trust on 01752 254406, email info@eddystone.org.uk or visit their website www.eddystone.org.uk.