Brook launches new Friends scheme at 50th birthday event

Published: 3 December 2014

Young people’s health and wellbeing charity Brook launched a new Friends scheme for supporters at a celebration to celebrate Brook’s 50th birthday on 25 November.

At the scheme’s launch, Brook’s CEO Simon Blake OBE talked about what has changed since 1964, when Brook was founded, what still needs to change to ensure that all young people are able to enjoy their sexuality without harm, and why Brook’s work is still so vital. Being a Brook Friend is for anyone who supports Brook’s work, and individuals can be involved and join online from £36 per year (under 25s free) at legacy.brook.org.uk/friends.

Young volunteers from Brook’s Participation scheme, which is partly funded through donations, talked about what the charity has done for them. One young volunteer said that getting involved with Brook was the first time she had ever felt truly listened to, while another said that finding Brook and becoming a volunteer had “literally saved [her] life”. 

Deputy CEO Jules Hillier formally introduced the Friends scheme. She commented:

“Our supporters are what keep us going, and the Friends scheme is an exciting new way for people to get involved with Brook. 

“We work with young people up and down the country and gain their trust, to give them the tools they need to make positive health and wellbeing choices and to build their self confidence and self reliance. We occupy a unique space in the charity sector and are really pleased to be able to offer a new way for anyone who cares about investing in young people to support us.”

For more information on becoming a Friend of Brook, visit legacy.brook.org.uk/friends.  

Jules Hillier (r), Deputy CEO, looks on as young volunteers Duy, George and Hayley talk about their experiences of participation at Brook.

For media enquiries please contact Brook's press office on 07789 682831 or email press@brook.org.uk

Notes to editors

Brook believes that young people should have access to great sexual health services and wellbeing support.

Brook provides free and confidential sexual health information, contraception, pregnancy testing, advice and counselling, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and education programmes, reaching nearly 235,000 young people nationwide every year.
 
Read our Strategic Plan 2017-2020 and learn more about the difference we make in our latest Success Report.