Our Story
Established in 1992
Established in 1992
In 1991 a report from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Working Party on unplanned Pregnancy recommended that:
....separate clinics or sessions for young people be provided by each districts health authority. These clinics should take into account the special needs of the young people in that district and should provide counselling on sexual and relationship transmitted diseases, including HIV.’
Despite strong opposition from religious groups and politicians Brook NI opened its doors for the first time on Thursday 19th September 1992. On that day one brave lone young women, walked through large crowds of noisy protestors, to exercise her right to access a service to which she was legally entitled. Since 1992 there have been over 210,000 visits from young people exercising that right.
Established in 1992
Brook Clinic opens Thursday and Saturday
Monday clinic opens
Wednesday clinic funded
Brook celebrates 5th Birthday in Europa Hotel
After losing funding, Wednesday clinic reopens
David Bromtiam Award
Secretary of State Mo Mowlan visits Brook
Brook 7th Birthday
Age of clients drops to 19
Boys clinic opens
10th Birthday at Stormont with Barbara DeBrun
7th clinic (Sunday), Brook clinics open every day
GlaxoSmithKline Award for contributions to healthcare
£1,000,000 from Atlantic Philanthropies
Centre Manager
Coleraine clinic opens
Ella One Trial begins
Age of content in NI lowered to 16. Brook celebrates its 16th Birthday. Sexual Offences Order Conference.
Information workers funded for 6 clinic sessions per week.
Brook Centre Manager receives 'Employee of the Year Award' at the Brook National Awards
Brook moves into Waring Street
'Bite-size' Brook Outreach funded
Brook wins Innovation Award for Student Placements at Brook National Awards in London
Brook gets JLS condoms in
RQIA
Brook opens STI/GUM clinic on Saturday
You be you & we'll be here!
Sir Michael McBride, Chief Medical Officer has commented on the commitment of the Public Health Agency in funding Common Youth (formerly Brook NI) and acknowledged that the work of Common Youth has had an impact on the reduction of teenage pregnancies over the last 25 years.
Common Youth has come along way since 1992. Starting off by providing two clinical sessions per week with the focus on contraception to now providing a seven day a week service in Belfast and a two day a week service in Coleraine, providing not only contraception but a sexual transmitted Infection testing and treatment service, counselling, psychosexual counselling, well-being, education, one to one support and training for professionals.
Roll on our 30th anniversary!!