YOUNG people in Wrexham are benefiting from greater support in dealing with issues such as sexual health and relationships.

Increased funding has been provided to Wrexham Council by the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to enable Wrexham Youth Services Information Shop to open on Saturdays.

The shop provides a range of Information services and a sexual health clinic for young people up to the age of 25.

A satellite version of this service, available during lunchtime, will also be offered to all secondary schools in Wrexham over the coming year.

Training has also been given to youth workers and teachers in supporting young people with sex and relationships issues.

This will see schools use new Welsh Assembly-funded resources as part of their personal and social education programme.

Over the coming months young people and professionals from different agencies will join forces to develop a campaign to encourage young people to delay entering into sexual relationships and to ensure that, when the time is eventually right for them, they are fully informed about staying safe and healthy.

These additional services will contribute to previous work that has been done in Wrexham which has seen a reduction in the rate of teenage conceptions for the under 18s.

Donna Dickenson, who chairs the sexual health planning co-ordination group, said: “We have seen a decrease in conceptions for people under the age of 18 in Wrexham and we must continue to see these fall.

“We must also raise awareness of sexually transmitted infections, some of which are sadly increasing not only with young people but in the adult population.

“Overall, we are really pleased with the progress being made in Wrexham and this is thanks to the excellent working relationships among all partners.

“We are not complacent, though and must continue to strive to ensure that young people are properly equipped to deal with the complexities of relationships as they enter into adulthood.”