YOUNG people and minority communities are helping to shape the future of the district's sexual health services.

Keighley-based Healthwatch Bradford and District carried out a survey amongst 16-to-25-year-olds.

And focus groups engaged with members of LGBTQI+, South Asian and African communities.

Healthwatch Bradford and District, whose base is in Alice Street, was commissioned by Bradford Council to conduct the research as part of a sexual health needs assessment and service review.

The organisation says both the survey and focus groups generated "lots of valuable feedback and suggestions".

A common theme was a need for services to be more tailored to the specific requirements of different communities. Young people in particular wanted more weekend access to services and drop-in clinics, whilst the prospect of more remote appointments was raised in focus groups.

Also raised repeatedly was a need for more training to be given to those responsible for delivering services. Young people said they sometimes felt uncomfortable in clinic settings.

Services tailored to the needs of LGBT+ and particularly trans people were highlighted as a priority, along with increased cultural awareness of ethnically diverse communities when supporting them with their sexual health.

A lack of awareness of sexually-transmitted diseases and exactly how to access support also emerged across the survey and focus groups ­— together with a desire for more education and information about issues including consent, rape and abuse and tackling stigma around accessing services.

Helen Rushworth, lead officer for Healthwatch Bradford and District, said: "We feel the project has been hugely positive, not just in the quality of information that has been produced but also in the new ways of working that have been established and the potential that exists for further future collaboration.

"We’re so grateful to everyone who took time to share such valuable insights through our survey and the focus groups."

A spokesperson for the public health team at Bradford Council said: "The feedback provided by diverse members of our communities, through Healthwatch working with local groups and organisations, adds valuable new insights to our sexual health needs assessment and service review.

"These insights will help ensure that future sexual health services in Bradford district are designed and delivered to meet the requirements of all who need to access them.

"We are grateful to the individuals, groups and organisations that played a part in ensuring these experiences and views were shared as part of this process."