Young people clinics at Sandyford are a place for 13 – 17 year olds who live in Greater Glasgow and Clyde to get support on sexual health, including contraception.
We have clinics at 7 different locations and you can book an appointment at whichever one you prefer.
You don’t need to have had sex before to make an appointment. However, you must be at least 13 years old to use this service. If you are under 13 and have questions about sex, it is important that you speak to an adult that you trust.
On this page you will find information on:
Why your sexual health is important
How our clinics can help you and how to book
Why your sexual health is important
Good sexual health is a part of good general health. There are simple things you can do to stay on top of it – like using condoms to protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and finding the right contraception for you to prevent pregnancy.
A big part of sexual wellbeing is being comfortable, so it’s okay to ask questions and take your time – you deserve to make choices that feel right for you and help you stay healthy.
Know the facts
Could I become pregnant?
If you have sex and don’t use contraception you could become pregnant. All contraception lowers the chance of pregnancy – but some are more effective than others. That’s why choosing a contraceptive method that suits you is so important.
Could I catch an STI?
Condoms are the only contraception that protects against STIs. That means if you have sex without a condom, you are at risk of catching an STI – and STIs are on the rise in Scotland.
If an STI isn’t treated, it can lead to serious health problems later on, including making it harder to get pregnant in the future.
Non-urgent advice: Common STIs include:
Gonorrhoea: Gonorrhoea can cause serious health problems if not treated, including problems getting pregnant in the future. It spreads through unprotected sex and needs antibiotics to clear.
HIV: HIV is a virus that can seriously damage your immune system if left untreated – once you get it, you’ll need lifelong medication to stay healthy. It’s mainly passed on through unprotected sex, so using condoms or PrEP is really important to protect yourself and others.
Remember: Some STIs don’t show any signs, so people often don’t realise they have one. That means you could pass it on without realising, or could develop health issues if they are left untreated.
Learn more about the different types of STIs on NHS inform.
How we can help
All of our clinics currently require you to book ahead. Instructions on how to book are provided below.
Some things are more urgent than others.
Please call us as soon as possible if:
When to book online or call
These services allow you to book online or call. Please choose ‘Young People Clinic’ online or ask for the Young People Clinic when you call.
Non-urgent advice: Not sure what you need?
Non-urgent advice: 16 or 17 years old?
Non-urgent advice: Need to cancel or reschedule?
Where to find us
What to expect
When you come to clinic
When you come to Sandyford, you can expect a welcoming and friendly environment. Our main goal is to help you feel at ease and we never judge.
Location
Our young people service is available at a number of our locations, you can find more information on these below. Be sure to double check which location your appointment has been booked for. All locations have Sandyford signage to guide you to the right place. For full directions and details, visit our Locations page.
Arrival
Please arrive 10 minutes before your appointment time to check in. When you arrive, you’ll be welcomed by friendly staff at the reception desk and asked to take a seat in the waiting area.
Waiting area and facilities
You’ll be asked to sit in the waiting area. Toilets are available, just ask a member of staff.
Your appointment space
A staff member will come to collect you for your appointment. All of our rooms are private to ensure confidentiality.
Who you can bring
You can come to your appointment alone, or bring someone with you if you like.
During your appointment
Appointments are normally 40 minutes, but may take less or more depending on your needs. Please consider this when planning your visit.
If you’ve brought someone with you, we’ll speak to you in private first of all to understand your needs.
We may ask you some questions such as your age, what you would like to get out of your appointment, and if you are having sex or have a partner. You can ask us any questions you like and we will do our best to help you.
Other things we can help with
The services below have their own websites and are not run through our Young People Clinics, but please contact them if you need to.
For more information
For more guidance on sex, relationships and consent, visit: