Blink and you’d almost certainly miss the Catch22 building in Crewe.
But for their newly launched Cheshire East Sexual Health Service, this hegemonic exterior might actually be a blessing in disguise.
Aimed at young people under the age of 25, it aims to offer advice on contraception, STIs, and healthy relationship.
But is also delivers the sex education programmes taking place in schools across Nantwich, Crewe and the rest of the borough.
Experts behind the service hope they can provide a “safe” and “welcoming” place for young people who might be put off from going to other health centres in the area.
“There are services available in the area, but they’re limited,” says Helena Wride, who delivers Catch22’s secondary school programme.
“Leighton is too far away and in other centres the opening times are at lunchtime or earlier in the day.”
The decision to launch Catch22 was taken in a bid to tackle the high teenage pregnancy rate in South Cheshire – and Crewe in particular.
However, Helena also feels the “risk of child sexual exploitation is quite high” in the area – something they hope they will be able to spot through their work in schools.
The six-week programmes being delivered in local primary and secondary schools include topics on consent, gender stereotypes, and exploitation.
So how is consent treated when delivering a session to year 6 pupils.
Katie Limb, who works with the primary school children, says they focus on decision-making and being able to make informed choices.
“It’s about teaching them ways of making decisions.
“We want them to stop and think ‘what are the good outcomes and what are the bad outcomes?’”
For secondary school students, the programme talks about the importance of sexual consent, as well as contraception, STIs, sexual abuse, and gender.
There’s also an in-school drop-in service for the schools involved.
Their approach is unique in two ways.
Firstly, their treatment of gender is refreshingly different to the PSHE lessons of old.
Helena tells me they want to get across the message that “gender is a social construct” and that for some people they could be “gender fluid”.
They want teenagers to realise they can “step outside gender assigned roles” and don’t need to be confined by stereotypes.
Secondly? It offers year 9 and 10 students the chance to become peer mentors.
Once trained and certificated, mentors will be able to deliver the programme to their classmates.
“It’s all about getting them to be a part of what we’re doing, and doing it in a way that’s empowering,” adds Helena.
The programme is flexible, so those involved can focus on topics they’re most concerned about.
The hope is the mentor scheme will make the progamme sustainable if Catch22 does not have the funding themselves.
Helena and Katie are both keen to get across that neither the programme nor the drop-in centre are about encouraging young people to have sex – especially those under 16.
They simply want to make sure those who are sexually active are “doing it safely” and have access to contraception.
“We can offer condoms, chlamydia and gonorrhea testing,” adds Katie.
“It’s a safe place for them to come and talk about any issues that they’ve got.”
The brightly decorated office on Timbrell Avenue is certainly cheery enough to make younger people comfortable
So as the summer holidays draw near, these experts are promoting the centre as much as they can.
They have recruited a student ambassador, Bryony, from St Thomas More in Crewe, and will be holding an open day this weekend, June 6.
It would be easy to see the Catch22 team as simply people doing their jobs.
But, talking to Helena and Katie, it’s obvious there’s a real commitment to the wellbeing of young people.
As I leave, I feel hopeful for the project, and for those who seek its help.
Community drop-in hours:
Sir William Stanier Leisure Centre – Monday, 5-7pm
Jubilee House – Tuesday, 4.30-7pm
Catch22 Office (Timbrell Avenue) – Wedneday, 4-7pm
For more on Catch22 and its services, visit
http://www.catch-22.org.uk/programmes-services/cheshire-east-sexual-health-service-mychoice/
What a brilliant service! The girls are massively approachable and innovative! Keep up the good work.