C-Card is a scheme for young people to access free condoms and lube to improve sexual health. When used correctly during sex, condoms are the only type of protection that help prevent both sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy.
The c-card scheme is aimed at young people between 13-24 years old who can register to get a range of free condoms, femidoms, lube, dams, information and advice.
You can register for a C-Card at any of our sexual health clinics as well as some other places. See our list below. Find out how to use external condoms safely here.
Once you have the app on your phone, you can visit any C-Card site, scan their QR code and show your collect screen to a member of staff. They will then give you 6 condoms and a lube for free – no questions asked! You can collect a condom pack every 7 days. You can ask for more if you need them.
These venues could be clinics, pharmacies, schools or colleges. The card will not have any personal details on it, like your name, it will only have a unique number on it. Simply take your C-Card to a local distribution venue or bring it into one of our clinics, and get your condoms without questions or judgement.
You can get condoms for free, even if you're under 16, from: contraception clinics. sexual health or GUM (genitourinary medicine) clinics. some GP surgeries.
Welcome to our condoms by post service – Over 10,000 people use this every year to get supplies and have safe and enjoyable sex with our top-quality products. The envelope you receive won't have any identifiable markings to ensure confidentiality.
The C-Card scheme is a free and confidential service offering free condom and sexual health information and support to all young people aged 13–25 years.
You can buy condoms at any age. Condoms are available in drugstores, Planned Parenthood health centers, other community health centers, some supermarkets, and from vending machines.
Free condoms for ages 13-24 through the C-Card Scheme. (You will need to have a C-Card to collect from this site – to sign up to the scheme please CLICK HERE if you are aged 16+ or CLICK HERE to find your nearest C-Card registration site.)
How to use your C-Card. Once you have registered for a C-Card, you'll be given a C-Card with your own individual ID number. You will then be able to use your registration to collect FREE condoms from registered C-Card sites as well as order condoms online (available for 16+ only).
The law is one thing, but it's also really important to think about whether you're ready and whether you can do it safely. There's no minimum age to buy condoms. You can be any age, gender or sexuality and are entitled to free contraception until you are 25 years old.
You can get your GIO C-Card from a range of venues like a youth club or sexual health clinic. A trained worker or sexual health nurse will have a confidential chat with you even if you are under 16. They will ask you some personal questions to make sure they are giving you the right advice and information.
Condoms can be made from different materials like latex, nitrile, and lambskin. There are also fun, novelty condoms that glow in the dark or are coated with a flavoring. If you are irritated by a specific type of condom, it may be best to try a different condom or another form of birth control.
There are lots of myths about male condoms. Make sure you know the facts before you use one. MYTH: You have to be 18 to buy condoms. TRUTH: Condoms are available at any age and free of charge from contraception clinics, Brook centres, sexual health (GUM) clinics, further education colleges and young people's clinics.
Condoms are available free from sexual health clinics, by post or with a C-card from pharmacies and other venues. Sexual Health Advisors can help if you're having problems using condoms. Call 0300 300 2016 and ask to speak to the Health Advisor in your area.
You DO NOT have to be 18 to buy condoms. You should not get carded for buying condoms and a clerk cannot legally refuse to sell them to you without looking at your ID. A checkout person also shouldn't ask your age—and if they do, you don't have to answer.
You don't need a prescription and there are no age restrictions — anybody can buy condoms. Some people feel kind of awkward going into a store and buying condoms, but your health is more important than a little embarrassment.
Once you register for a C-Card you will have access to free condoms, femidoms, dams, lube and pregnancy tests.
You can get free condoms from NHS sexual health clinics, contraception clinics, some GP surgeries and some young people's services. Some areas have something called a CCard scheme for young people that offer condoms for free. You can find local CCard websites online to see whether you can access free condoms.
If you live in Wales and you're aged under 25, then you can get free condoms from several places, including sexual health and GUM clinics (see links above), your GP or some youth services. Wales has a C-Card (Condom-Card) scheme, which gives confidential and free sexual health advice and condoms.
Free Condoms and Lube Order Service
Our condom and lube distribution scheme started in 1994, and we're been helping people have happier, healthier sex ever since. Every year we distribute over 90,000 packs free of charge. We use the term 'safer sex', as no sexual activity can be 100% risk free.
Once you've registered with your local C-Card scheme, you will be able to collect free condoms from a number of outlets, including pharmacies, shops and public services. Outlets will let you know they are part of the scheme by displaying the C-Card logo in their window.
When used perfectly, condoms are about 98% effective at preventing pregnancy. Typical use averages about 87% effective at preventing pregnancy. In any given year, approximately 15 out of every 100 people who rely on condoms as their only birth control get pregnant.