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Public & Patient Information

BASHH supports public online blogs and has a panel of patients, lay people and professionals to comment on our information for the public

We are always looking for new members for the public panel. If you have ideas or opinions about sexual health and sexual health services in the UK and would like to work with BASHH, then get in touch by emailing admin@bashh.org 

Your guide to the Standards for the management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), a leaflet for service users outlining what the standards mean is available by clicking here.

Information about sexually transmitted infections

ALERT: SEXWISE WEBSITE IS PERMANENTLY CLOSED

important information for services who provide website / SMS / email links to the Sexwise website for patient information.

Sexwise (www.sexwise.org.uk) was initially launched by Public Health England (PHE), with management of the website inherited by the Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) in 2021. DHSC contracted a provider to deliver technical maintenance and support for the website; this contract has ended on 2 March 2024. Following the end of this contract Sexwise has closed, and the site is no longer available instead re-directing to the homepage of the NHS website.

Unfortunately attempts by the Family Planning Association (FPA) have been unsuccessful in negotiating an extension of this website and its contents, and therefore it is not expected that the site will become functional again. A blog on the FPA website provides more information on this evolving situation: https://www.fpa.org.uk/sexwise-closing-march-2024/

DHSC have provided a list of public facing platforms providing alternative information sources:

 

Get Involved 

We want you involved with our work. We need to know what matters to you or your community about sexual health.

Developing our guidelines with your help

The BASHH Clinical Effectiveness Group (CEG) develops national guidelines for the management of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and related conditions. The purpose of these guidelines is to make clear recommendations for health care practitioners (e.g. doctors and nurses) looking after patients with sexual health concerns and problems.

In order to make sure that the guidelines we produce focus strongly on the patient, we aim to have patient members working in all of our guideline groups.

How do I get involved?

BASHH Policy for Public Involvement

 

Helping us to develop our patient information leaflets

BASHH produce a number of leaflets, which aim to provide patients with up to date and evidence-based information about sexually transmitted infections. Our public panel reviews all patient-focused information to make sure that it understandable and relevant.

BASHH Patient Information Leaflets

 

Join our public panel

The BASHH public panel aims to make sure that BASHH is responsive to the needs of the public and that its work is focused on the people who matter - patients.

  • What is the public panel?
  • Who are the current members of the panel?
  • If you work for a sexual health focused organisation and would like to get involved - Click Here for a person specification for the role. If you are interested in applying, please send a CV and a short covering letter letting us know why you would like to be involved.
  • If you would like to get involved as a lay member, please contact our public panel team @ researchpanel@bashh.net with a short (200-300 word) statement telling us why you would like to be a member of the panel.
 

Find out more about public engagement at BASHH

If you would like to know more about BASHH and how to get involved, then drop us a line at: researchpanel@bashh.net.

 

Give your opinion about sexual health research proposals

BASHH/THT Lay Research Panel - Click here for more information.

 

Resources 

Useful Information 

SWAD Resources list for BASHH Public panel on sex education and health matters for parents of young disabled people. Prepared by Lorraine Stanley, SWAD. 1 March 2025. https://www.swaddorset.org/

Topic: How do we educate our children about puberty and sex-related matters? Is it right for parents to remove their child’s body hair? (armpits/pubic)

Sheffield NHS Trust  Puberty in girls with learning disabilities. https://library.sheffieldchildrens.nhs.uk/puberty-in-girls-with-learning-disabilities/

Sheffield NHS Trust Puberty in boys with learning disabilities. https://library.sheffieldchildrens.nhs.uk/puberty-in-boys-with-learning-disabilities/

https://devonbreithart.com/shaving-hair-removal-teens-disabilities/

Shaving with a Razor (Text and Voice) - Penquis ADL Tools.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bR2iKhDH2OY

Changing Pad (Text and Voice) - Penquis ADL Tools. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhayF6EgRZU

Topic: How do we prepare kids for safer sex?,

Sex education - a guide for parents.  https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/family-life-and-relationships/sex-education/parents-and-carers

Topic: How can I help my child understand and cope with puberty; how to best educate my child around sex, safe sex and relationships & how to have those discussions?

Tom Needs to Go: A book about how to use public toilets safely for boys and young men with autism and related conditions.  Click here  

What's Happening to Tom?: A book about puberty for boys and young men with autism and related conditions.  Click here  

Masturbation: This page has a link to a webinar by Mel Gadd: https://www.choicesupport.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/supported-loving/supported-loving-toolkit/masturbation

BILD Exploring sexual and social understanding of sex knowledge and behaviour tool. "Only a court of law can remove the right to a sex life - not parents, not care-givers (but they could raise flags of concern).” You need to be a member to access the resources, but they have a concessionary rate - £12 (this is for people with learning disabilities, autistic people, their families and personal assistants)

NSPCC resources:

Listen to our podcast on supporting d/Deaf children by putting them at the centre of decision making.  https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/news/2024/may/podcast-supporting-deaf-children

https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/safeguarding-child-protection/deaf-and-disabled-children

https://pshe-association.org.uk/resource/nspcc-talk-pants

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/globalassets/documents/advice-and-info/underwear-rule-children-guide-english.pdf

Amaze resources: Amaze have a selection of animation videos, definitely worth exploring, including:

Healthy vs Unhealthy Relationships.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gn7ZQ2x0cOE

How To Tell If A Friendship Is Toxic (3 MAJOR Signs) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxz_XsycYtY

Puberty in Girls: Boobs and More: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umpBnIxOqy8&t=7s

Autism & Puberty, Sez Francis on YouTube, 3.26K subscribers. Bio: My name is Sez (It’s my childhood nickname – my real name is Sarah) and I'm an Autistic and Epileptic YouTuber. I upload inclusive, creative and family friendly content; and raising awareness every Wednesday and Friday: https://www.youtube.com/@SezFrancis1

Highly Recommended Books on Puberty:-

Usborne Facts of Life, Growing Up (All about Adolescence, Body Changes and Sex): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Usborne-Facts-Growing-Adolescence-changes/dp/0746031424

The Period Book: A Girl's Guide to Growing Up: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Period-Book-Girls-Guide-Growing/dp/161963662X

Puberty Tips & Resources:-

Sex Education and Puberty (National Autistic Society): http://www.autism.org.uk/sexeducation

How to Talk About Puberty with Your Kids: https://www.wikihow.com/Talk-About-Pu

Twinkl 

The trusted home of teacher-created planning and assessment materials and teaching resources! Perfect for inside and outside the classroom.

How to Use Social Situation Templates to Support Young People

Twinkl - KS2 Lessons and Explainer Videos  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CG37eyKtads&t=140s

What Happens to Boys through Puberty?

Twinkl - KS2 Lessons and Explainer Videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axuKPpfe6cg

Chailey Heritage Foundation – complex neurodisabilities.

Chailey Heritage Foundation provides education and care services and is one of the UK’s leading centres for children and young people with complex neurodisabilities. Most of the young people accessing their services have severe cerebral palsy, many have visual impairment and dual sensory impairments. All are wheelchair users and very few have verbal communication. Helen Dunman, who is the PSHE Lead at Chailey Heritage School, is the person I mentioned during our session:

https://www.chf.org.uk/Sex_Factor_brochure_Jan_2025.pdf

People First Dorset & NHS Dorset (Easy Read guide) http://www.apictureofhealth.southwest.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/sexual-health/feelings/Love_Sex_You.pdf

Information on different types of contraception:

https://healthvideos.ourdorset.org.uk/sexual-health

Breast Cancer Screening Film and EasyRead guide for Women with Learning Disabilities: https://www.through-the-maze.org.uk/breast-cancer-screening-film-and-easyread-guide-for-women-with-learning-disabilities/

SWAD Resources list for BASHH Public panel on sex education and health matters for parents of young disabled people. Prepared by Lorraine Stanley, SWAD. 1 March 2025.   https://www.swaddorset.org/

Genital Herpes - BASHH Guideline: 
https://herpes.org.uk/herpes-patient-information-in-english-and-other-languages/

Please note this is also available in 9 other languages.

Alternatively click here for more genital herpes information.