SKINS stars unveil new NHS Chlamydia graffiti
Skins stars unveil new NHS Chlamydia graffiti
JJ and Megan from Skins took time out of filming the new SKINS series to unveil new graffiti in Stokes Croft today.
The artwork will be up all month to raise awareness about Chlamydia testing for 15-24 year olds.
Ollie Barbieri, who plays JJ, said: “Get tested, get treated – it’s as simple as that.”
The new piece of street art, which is 50ft long and planned to be up for a month, has been created by local graffiti artists Tom Holdsworth from Bristol and Adam Mclevey from Weston-super-Mare.
Tom said: “It’s nice to be asked to do something worthwhile like this. Attitudes to graffiti are finally changing in Bristol. First the council and now the NHS are waking up to the fact that graffiti can be force for good in the city.”
Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection among sexually active 15-24 year olds. But because it often has no symptoms, many people do not know they have it. Left untreated Chlamydia can lead to infertility and ectopic pregnancies.
Karl Pye, Avon Chlamydia Screening co-ordinator, said: “If you’re 15-24, you need to get tested every year or whenever you change partners. Testing for Chlamydia is free, easy and confidential. It’s as simple as peeing in a pot.
“People don’t need to be embarrassed. Taking care of yourself is the normal, responsible thing to do. Testing is easy and so is the treatment. We especially need more young men to come forward and get tested.”
Tests are free and confidential. People can also get a self testing kit to complete at home. It’s as simple as peeing in a pot. Chlamydia can usually be treated with a short course of antibiotics.
Street Teams out across the region this week will be offering a pee-in-a-pot kit.
You can text the word ‘screen’ to 83010 to find out when the Street Teams will be in their area.
Alternatively if you miss the Street Teams, or would like more information about a free test you can contact your GP, Sexual Health Clinic or call the Avon Chlamydia hotline on 0845 180 0050 or visit http://freetest.me.uk/ for a free test.
