Over 250,000 free condoms were handed out to new college and university students at Freshers’ events across the city by Umbrella, the sexual health service for Birmingham and Solihull.

The quarter of a million figure more than doubled the number given out last year and formed part of a wider campaign to raise awareness of safer sex to avoid sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancies.

The campaign, which used the slogan ‘What’s your position on safe sex?’ was accompanied by images of pairs of feet in different positions and has been widely featured on posters, billboards, pharmacies, GP surgeries and digital advertising in shopping centres, train stations and locations throughout Birmingham.

Supporting the campaign throughout September and October were Umbrella’s outreach teams and delivery partner Birmingham City Council Youth Service, who hosted 30 stands at universities and colleges in Birmingham and Solihull, providing sexual health information and chlamydia screening.

As well as being freely available to those attending Freshers’ events, the condoms were included in welcome packs through universities, colleges and student accommodation services.

Jodie Walker-Haywood, Operational Lead for Education in Umbrella said: “Making positive life choices is important for sexual health. Umbrella and its partners offer a range of support services to help young people take the next step in their life.

“Any young person who is sexually active should consider getting tested for STIs as there is a risk that people can unknowingly pass on an infection to sexual partners. Delays to testing and treatment may cause long term health problems.”

For more advice about STIs, prevention, treatment or to order an online STI home testing kit, visit the Umbrella website: