Youth sexual health service seeks new home after 20 years

Wednesday 26 February 2020

A free service that has provided sexual health support to thousands of young people in Jersey for over 25 years is looking for a new home after its building was sold.

Brook was set up in Jersey in 1995 and has been tucked away behind the former Odeon cinema in Nelson Street since 1999.

From its discreet rented first floor space, it has provided services to islanders under the age of 21 ranging from providing free contraception to advice on sexual health and relationships, and STI testing.

In 2019 alone, Brook’s clinic was visited over 3,200 times, while over 5,000 young people engaged through its education programme in schools, youth clubs and other settings.

Brook Jersey are looking for new rental premises before June 2021 in St Helier. Ideally on a side street (to protect confidentiality), on ground level and approx. 1500 sq ft. Please email Sarah.lelong@brook.org.je

— Brook Jersey (@BrookinJersey) February 18, 2020

However, the premises has now been sold, meaning that the charity’s tenancy is due to expire in June 2021.

The charity is therefore on the lookout for a new base, and is asking islanders for their suggestions.

Explaining the requirements for a new premises, Manager Sarah Le Long told Express that, “since Brook provides a confidential service, clients using the centre must not be visible to passers-by” and that the charity would therefore prefer to be located “in a side street rather than in a main, or heavily used street”.

Pictured: Brook Jersey's current location, which it will have to leave next summer.

The other stipulations were that any new premises should be:

• Ideally, all on one (ground) floor;
• At least 1,500sqft split into rooms for consultations and a waiting area;
• And contain parking spaces, if possible.

Anyone with suggestions for the new rental space can contact Sarah via email.