Poster asks drinkers to be thinkers

Posters carrying the message have been stuck on toilet doors in local pubs and clubs, thanks to an Ashton, Leigh and Wigan NHS Primary Care Trust sexual health awareness campaign.

Michelle Ward, a 19-year-old student, designed the campaign poster after the Primary Care Trust (PCT) approached Wigan & Leigh College for help with the project. Michelle initially came up with the 'Where's UR head at?' concept whilst working on a college project mock advertising Durex condoms.

Michelle says, "The first thing that came into my head, as soon as I read the brief, was the Basement Jaxx song 'Where's UR head at?' "I like relating things to music because it's one of my big interests. I think there's a good chance young people will pick up on the 'Where's UR head at?' message because it's a catchy song.

"The PCT has targeted the posters at 200 Wigan Borough pubs and clubs that have a high percentage of 16 to 25 year-old customers. The poster features simple cartoon characters, similar to those that appear in hit TV show South Park. Michelle hopes this will help grab young people's attention. "I think it gives a humorous side to a very serious subject," she says. "Young people can relate to cartoon characters because they are simple and uncomplicated.

"So impressed are local health and youth agencies with Michelle's ideas, they are keen to use her work on further sexual health awareness publicity materials.

Catherine Foxon, Health Development Officer for Ashton, Leigh and Wigan PCT, said: "What is exciting about this is that local talent has been utilised to address a real health need in the Borough. The first step in any successful prevention campaign is to inform people that there is a problem and that there is help available. Along with the rest of the country, Wigan Borough has seen an alarming rise in Sexually Transmitted Infections across all age groups. This campaign is the first step in changing that."

Distribution of the posters was completed yesterday.

-ends-

Notes to editors

• CampaignsRus, a social marketing company based in Liverpool, are distributing the posters on behalf of Ashton, Leigh & Wigan PCT. For further information please telephone 0151 6493456 or visit www.healthwise.org.uk/pr/index.htm
• For more information contact Angela Kirk, Young People’s Press Officer for the Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust,
  on 01942 828923 or e-mail A.Kirk@wlct.org

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