Going Above and Beyond: How Brook’s Education Team is Making a Difference 

Brook’s education team consistently goes above and beyond to support people in local communities, ensuring they receive the information and resources they need to make informed decisions about their sexual health. In this blog, Rebecca Shutt, Assistant Director of Education, takes a closer look at some of the innovative work that Brook’s education team has been doing in 23/24. 

Manchester: Amplifying young people’s voices 

In Manchester, Brook’s education team collaborated with local clinics and the participation team to design and implement an online survey aimed at young people regarding their contraception choices. After distributing the survey, the education team conducted focus groups to delve deeper into the survey findings. These efforts not only collected valuable data but also directly influenced Brook’s practices. For instance, insights from the survey helped Brook address concerns about hormonal contraception, fueled by misinformation on social media. By engaging in open and honest conversations, the education team ensured that young people felt heard and supported.  

Cornwall: Driving change through participation 

In Cornwall, Brook’s education team mobilised a local participation group at Camborne College, working specifically with students studying Health and Social Care. This group focused on evaluating and improving the local C-card service, which is a key priority in Cornwall. Through interactive sessions, the education team empowered these young people to voice their opinions and suggestions for improving the service. The collaboration between Brook and the students resulted in valuable feedback that will shape future service developments.  

Barnet: Collaborative Outreach 

In Barnet, Brook’s education team demonstrated the power of collaboration by actively engaging with various stakeholders, including professionals working with asylum seekers and refugees. By participating in regular local meetings and networking events, including local advisory boards, the team has been effectively raising Brook’s profile locally and playing an important role in initiatives such as the Sexual Health Needs Assessment and the review of the C-Card scheme. Through these collaborations, Brook has not only gained valuable insights into community needs, but we have strengthened partnerships so that more people can benefit from our holistic sexual health and wellbeing services.  

Southend-Brent Connection: Building Bridges 

In Southend, a brilliant example of Brook’s proactive approach is the initiative to bridge the gap between the Southend and Brent public health teams. Recognising the need to support sex workers in the area, Brook’s education team in Southend facilitated a meeting between key stakeholders from Southend and Brent councils. This initiative highlights our unwavering commitment to addressing complex public health issues through strategic partnerships.  

Bristol: Innovating Access 

In Bristol, the Brook education team expanded the C-Card offer by introducing “Condoms by Post” for young people aged 16-24. This innovative scheme allows registered C-Card holders aged 16+ to discreetly order condoms online and receive them in plain packaging to their home address. In the first eight months, the scheme successfully fulfilled more than 140 orders in Bristol and the model can be replicated in other areas.  

Wirral: Tailored Support 

In Wirral, Brook’s education team demonstrated sensitivity and adaptability by catering to the unique needs of students with limited English. By organising tailored sexual health sessions for ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) groups, Brook identified gaps in their understanding and provided vital education in a culturally sensitive manner. The sessions received positive feedback from tutors and increased engagement from students, which shows the impact that Brook’s tailored approach has on improving access for vulnerable groups.  

Teesside: Empowering Parents 

In Teesside, Brook’s education team extended its support to parents by attending a support group run by the Early Help Team. Understanding the importance of parent involvement in RSE, the team provided valuable insights and guidance on addressing sensitive topics with their children. A key priority for Brook is empowering families to navigate challenging conversations and support their children’s sexual health and wellbeing. In response to the positive feedback from this work, Brook is running a small pilot of sessions for parents of vulnerable young people in 2024.  

You can find out more about Brook’s work in our 23/24 Success report and visit our careers page for more information and current vacancies to join our exceptional education team.