Below are helpful online resources, websites supported by the Sexual Health NI – Public Health Agency (PHA).
Please note: Some of these links lead to external sites, and the PHA is not responsible for their content.
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Glossary
The Glossary – Sexual Health NI helps you understand the acronyms and terminology associated with sexual health commonly used in Northern Ireland.
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Helplines
Accessing abortion – information on abortion services in Northern Ireland
Helplines NI – Helplines NI provides details of over 30 different helplines operating across Northern Ireland; offering a variety of vital support services including, information, advice, counselling, a listening ear and be-friending, and offer immediate support to those with a wide-range of health and wellbeing needs
Cara-Friend – Support and training for the LGBTQIA+ young people
Switchboard NI: 0808 800 0390Childline – Childline offers counselling, advice and support to children and young people. You can call, chat, email or sign to a counsellor online, or find other resources; free and confidential 24-hour helpline
Freephone: 0800 1111Common Youth – Free & Confidential Sexual Health & Wellbeing Advice
Common Youth provides free, confidential sexual health services for young people aged 24 and under. Clinics are based in Belfast and Coleraine.Lifeline – Lifeline is Northern Ireland’s crisis response helpline
Freephone: 0808 808 8000
Textphone: 18001 0808 808 8000Minding Your Head – Minding Your Head has information on how to protect your mental and emotional wellbeing and the issues that can affect it, access to a directory of various organisations offering help across Norther Ireland.
Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) – In an emergency telephone 999. Crime-stoppers: 0800 555 111 (to call anonymously about a crime).
The Rowan – Sexual Assault Referral Centre – The Rowan Team by contacting their 24 hour advice and free information line.
Free phone: 0800 389 4424 -
Support for LGBTQIA+ people
BTRC (Belfast trans resource centre) – social drop-in space for trans, non-binary & gender diverse people open Wednesdays 12-6PM & Saturdays 2-6PM.
Cara-Friend – support and training for the LGBTQIA+ young people
HERe NI – HERe NI is a community organisation and registered charity based in Belfast. We are here to support lesbian and bisexual women and our families and improve the lives of L & B women across Northern Ireland; peer support; facilitating training; lobbying government and agencies on your behalf, offering a community space for meeting and much more.
HSC regional LGBTQIA+ staff forum – LGBTQIA+ support for staff within HSC
Mermaids NI – supporting families of transgender, non-binary and gender diverse people
Positive Life – for people living with and affected by HIV
The Rainbow Project -promotes health & wellbeing for LGBTQIA+ people offering free support services such as counselling, hate-crime advocacy, “Cancer Champions” and sexual health (including rapid HIV & syphilis testing) with centres in Belfast and Derry/Londonderry
Stonewall Northern Ireland – At Stonewall, we stand for lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer, questioning and ace (LGBTQ+) people everywhere. We imagine a world where all LGBTQ+ people are free to be themselves and we can live our lives to the full.
Trans Pride NI – Trans Pride NI benefit the public by changing attitudes towards all Trans people.
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Support for people under 25s
Cara-Friend – support and training for the LGBTQIA+ young people.
Childline – Childline offers counselling, advice and support to children and young people. You can call, chat, email or sign to a counsellor online, or find other resources; free and confidential 24-hour helpline
Freephone: 0800 1111Common Youth – Free & Confidential Sexual Health & Wellbeing Advice
Common Youth provides free, confidential sexual health services for young people aged 24 and under. Clinics are based in Belfast and Coleraine.Informing Choices NI – advice on sexual and reproductive health; pregnancy choices counselling
The Mix – Essential support for under 25s
Online Safety Hub – Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (safeguardingni.org) – advice and guidance about sexting, online safety and sexual relationships
The Rainbow Project – ‘Rainbow Youth’ LGBTQIA+ youth group is available in The Rainbow Project Derry/Londonderry. At both The Rainbow Project centres counselling is available for young people aged under 25 and rapid HIV/syphilis testing for those aged 18 and over.
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Accessing contraception, STI tests, PEP, PrEP, vaccinations
- Accessing abortion – information on abortion services in Northern Ireland
- Where do I get contraception? – Sexual Health NI
- How do I get an STI test? – Sexual Health NI
- Free Home STI (STD) Test | Sexual Health Kit & Contraception | SH:24
- Vaccination – Sexual Health NI
- Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV – Sexual Health NI
- Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV – Sexual Health NI
- Rainbow Project – LGBTQIA+ specific advice and guidance on STIs, testing, PEP and PrEP
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Accessing sexual health clinics (GUM clinics)
Genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics specialise in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of STIs and HIV.
Depending on where you live, services and advice on STI testing, your sexual health may be available from:
- hospital clinics based in your local Trust area
- online services (SH24)
- your own GP
- young people’s services Free & Confidential Sexual Health & Wellbeing Advice | Common Youth
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Accessing sexual reproductive health (SRH) clinics / Contraceptive clinics
These clinics are available in every Trust area. They are also known as contraceptive clinics.
- Belfast Trust
Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare Service – Belfast Health & Social Care Trust - Northern Trust
Contraceptive Services – Northern Health and Social Care Trust - South Eastern Trust
Sexual Health Service – South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust - Southern Trust
Contraception Clinic – Southern Health & Social Care Trust - Western Trust
Sexual Health – Western Health & Social Care Trust
- Belfast Trust