The Advice Place is a C:Card point
What does this mean?
A c:card is a plastic card which is yours to keep and use to collect free condoms and other safer sex products on the c:card range.
This free service is managed by NHS Lothian and facilitated by partner agencies in a variety of settings, such as The Advice Place.
Can I get free condoms?
Yes, just come in with your c:card or if you don't have one, come in and we will sign you up, this is very quick, it should take about 2 minutes.
What will happen when I come in?
Each time you come in just tell us you want to use your c:card, we will take you to the cupboard where we keep our range of safer sex products.
These include various types of condoms, lube, femidoms, latex free condoms and dental dams. You can find our more about these here.
We will take a note of the number on your c:card and the number of items you take, this because the c:card scheme collects information about sexual health trends.
Is there is a limit to how many condoms I can have?
No, as a guideline we usually ask people to take no more that 4 boxes of condoms but if you are going away on holiday or need more you can take them.
We know it can be embarrassing to come in and get contraception, our staff are all trained and see hundreds of c:card users a year, we will do everything we can to make it as comfortable as possible for you.
Where else can I get free condoms?
There are 25 c:card points throughout the Lothian region, which you can look at here. When you sign up for a c:card we will give you a list of all the points you can access. You may find that another c:card point is more convenient for you than the Advice Place.
EUSA also runs the c:card outreach scheme. We have a team of trained volunteers who bring the c:card to Pollock and Potterrow on Saturdays during Big Cheese. If you find coming to the Advice Place inconvenient or embarrassing then c:card outreach is the perfect way to access free condoms!
Is it confidential?
Yes, in order to register all you need to give us is your date of birth so we can make sure you are over 16 and the first part of your postcode, you cannot be traced with this information.
It is vital that c:card is trusted as a confidential service. However c:card confidentiality is not absolute. In situations where the c:card worker believes that a young person under the age of 16 years of age is or has been at risk of harm, workers will not be able to maintain confidentiality and must respond to this as a child protection concern.
Am I eligible?
Our c:card point is open for everyone in Edinburgh and the Lothians who are aged 16 or older. There are no upper age limits – no one’s too old to use a c:card. If you are under 16 you can use a c:card plus point which you can find details of here .
C:card is a non judgemental service which responds positively to clients sexual health needs. We are an inclusive service which is open to all people - straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered. All clients will be treated fairly and respectfully no matter what their gender, sexuality, ethnic origin, age etc.
Find out more about c:card
Find out more about c:card