Sexual Health Week 2026: Think.... Let's Connect!
💬 Think… Let’s Connect!
Sexual Health Week 2026: 14–20 September
Sexual Health Week 2026 is championing human connection across platonic, romantic and sexual relationships.
At a time when the world is at our fingertips, many people are feeling increasingly detached from themselves and others. Although social media and technology allow us to build larger networks, they do not always provide the meaningful connections that enrich our lives and support our wellbeing.
This year’s Let’s Connect campaign will explore how we can build and maintain authentic, healthy relationships in an era of endless scrolling, online dating and ghosting. It will also encourage people to reconnect with their own bodies, emotions, boundaries and needs.
What does connection mean?
Connection can take many different forms. It can include the relationships we have with friends, family members, partners, colleagues and members of our wider community.
Healthy connections should make us feel respected, supported and able to be ourselves. They are built through open communication, trust, mutual respect and consent.
During Sexual Health Week, Sexual Health Wirral will encourage people to:
- Connect with themselves by understanding their bodies, emotions, boundaries and sexual health needs.
- Connect with others through honest communication, kindness, mutual respect and consent.
- Connect with their community to challenge stigma, reduce isolation and help people feel supported and included.
Communication, respect and consent
Good communication is an important part of any healthy relationship. This includes feeling able to talk openly about your feelings, expectations, boundaries, contraception and sexual health.
Consent should always be freely given, informed and ongoing. Everyone has the right to change their mind at any time. Consent should never be assumed because of someone’s relationship status or previous sexual activity.
You can find more information about consent and sexual relationships on the NHS Let’s Talk About It website.
Healthy relationships should be based on equality and respect. No one should feel pressured, controlled, frightened or uncomfortable within a relationship. Brook also provides helpful information about relationships, dating and communication.
Reconnecting with yourself
Connecting with yourself means taking time to understand your feelings, your body and what is important to you. It can involve recognising your boundaries, thinking about what you want from your relationships and making choices that support your sexual and emotional wellbeing.
Looking after your sexual health is also an important part of self-care. This may include:
- Finding a method of contraception that is suitable for you.
- Having regular sexual health checks.
- Learning about sexually transmitted infections.
- Ordering a free postal STI testing kit.
- Seeking advice, testing or treatment when you need it.
- Finding out about HIV testing, PrEP and PEP.
The importance of community
Strong, inclusive communities can help people feel that they belong. They can provide support, reduce isolation and create safe spaces where people feel able to talk openly about relationships and sexual health.
Community connection can also help challenge stigma, abuse and health inequalities. By listening to people’s experiences and ensuring everyone has access to appropriate information and services, we can help create a more supportive and inclusive environment for all.
Join us during Sexual Health Week
Throughout Sexual Health Week, Sexual Health Wirral will share information, practical advice and resources to help people:
- Strengthen communication within their relationships.
- Recognise the signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships.
- Understand boundaries and consent.
- Reconnect with their bodies, emotions and needs.
- Look after their sexual health and wellbeing.
- Find support when they need it.
Follow Sexual Health Wirral on social media throughout the week and help us spread the message:
Connect with yourself. Connect with others. Connect with your community.
Sexual health advice and support
Sexual Health Wirral provides free and confidential sexual health information, advice and support.
Our services include sexual health testing, contraception, emergency contraception, pregnancy testing and advice about HIV prevention.
You can:
- Book a sexual health appointment online.
- View our clinic locations and opening times.
- Find a walk-in and wait clinic.
- Order a free postal STI testing kit.
- Find a Wirral pharmacy offering free emergency contraception.
- Access our Easy Read sexual health information.
If you cannot find the service you need, call Sexual Health Wirral free on 0300 123 5474.
Are you worried about your relationship?
If a relationship makes you feel frightened, pressured, controlled or unsafe, confidential help is available.
- It’s Never OK Wirral provides free and confidential support through the Wirral Domestic Abuse Hub.
- Visit Wirral Council’s domestic abuse information page for local and national support.
- Galop provides specialist support for LGBT+ people experiencing abuse or violence.
If you or somebody else is in immediate danger, call 999.
Healthy relationships start with communication, respect and consent.