Barnet students helping to raise awareness on World Aids Day
Students embarked on their first role as Peer Educators at Barnet College today as they, together with an NHS nurse, offered advice, knowledge and guidance to students across the College to help raise awareness on World Aids Day. Students were able to take part in quizzes; pick up free condoms and a free Chlamydia testing kit, as well as general information on sexual health.
Over 18 students across the Grahame Park and North London Business Park sites of Barnet College, have been signed up to their new role as Peer Educators, offering fellow students advice on sexual health and wellbeing. The scheme is in partnership with NHS Barnet and Barnet Impact, a drug and alcohol project for young people in Barnet.
Since the beginning of November, Peer Educators at the College have been undergoing training sessions with NHS nurses twice a week learning about sexual health, drugs awareness, wellbeing and personal safety. The students are working towards an AQA PSHE Level 1 qualification which will allow them to advise their peers in College and those in the local community on these topics.
Cathy Breslin, Chlamydia Screening nurse said: “Today has been really worthwhile, we’ve been really busy. It’s great to have the Peer Educators on board to raise awareness about the importance of sexual health among young people. A lot of teenagers still find it embarrassing to talk about, so hopefully having people their age to talk to will help get the message across.”
James, 17 years old, a Peer Educator at Barnet College studying Public Services said:”I’m really enjoying this new role, it’s really good experience for me especially working alongside the NHS as I’m hoping to become a paramedic, so it gives me a great insight into the organisiation. I think being a teenager and also a student here, will hopefully mean that students will find us more approachable and won’t feel intimidated to come to us for advice.”
The Peer Educators will act as College ambassadors on sexual health and will be trained to work as BU21 representatives in the College. BU21 is NHS Barnet's condom distribution scheme and provides advice on sexual health, contraception and pregnancy for all young people living in and around Barnet. BU21 also offers information on sexual health and GUM services around the local area. Please visit
the BU21 website.
For further details on any courses at Barnet College call Course Information on 020 8266 4000.
Notes to editors
For all other enquiries, contact the College switchboard on 020 8266 4000.
