Sexual health clinics festive closures – see news item for more information.
Condoms by Post festive closure – see news item for more information.
Free Condoms No Fuss
What is C Card – Free Condoms No Fuss?
Condoms can help prevent the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections and can also help protect against unintended pregnancy.
C Card – Free Condoms No Fuss is the scheme that provides condoms and lubricant for free to anyone who lives, works or studies in Lanarkshire. You can get free condoms either by collecting them from a C Card Centre or by having them posted to your home address if you live in Lanarkshire.
What is a C Card Centre?
These are the places (usually health centres, community pharmacies and some GP surgeries) where you can get a bag of 12 condoms for free. There are over 100 C Card Centres throughout Lanarkshire, use the location finder to find the Centre closest to you.
A C Card can be shown for collection but you don’t need to have a card to ask for free condoms.
You also do not need to be registered as a patient with any of these centres as you won’t be asked for your name or other personal details.
Condom Types
The back of the C Card gives you the choices of condoms that are offered. If you don’t have a card the table below lists the types on offer.
| EXT = Extra | Slightly thicker condom with extra lubricant |
| FLA = Flavoured | Flavoured and coloured condoms |
| SEN = Sensitive | Thinner condom for enhanced sensitivity. |
| NAT = Natural | Natural colour and feeling. |
| LAT = Latex-free | Non-latex, made from ultra-thin synthetic resin. Available to those people with a known allergy to latex. |
| VAR = Variety | A selection of 12 condoms and 2 lubricant. |
| LAR = Large | Wider and longer condom. |
| INT = Internal | Non-latex ultra-sensitive feeling vaginal condom. Previously known as The Female condom |
| TRI = Trim | Tighter and closer fitting condom. |
| BLK = Black | Black coloured condoms with a larger fit. |
| LUB = Lubricant | Gentle, clear lubricant. Paraben free. |
How do I use the Condoms by Post service?
The NHS Lanarkshire Condoms by Post service is available to anyone with a Lanarkshire address.
To access this service, please call 0300 303 0216 and leave a message or email freecondoms@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk leaving your:
- name
- address
- type of condoms you would like to receive – all the options for the types of condoms we provide are listed in the table above (maximum of 1 selection per order).
Once your order is received it will be delivered in a plain envelope containing loose condoms and/or lubricant usually within 7 working days. We are now sending loose rather than bagged condoms to improve sustainability and reduce waste.
Get Rubbered
This is a free confidential scheme run by the Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) Scotland. It is a postal service for gay and bisexual men living in Lanarkshire who require condoms and lubricant (lube) for anal sex. Free condoms and lube can be posted directly to your address in a discreet wrapper. The Get Rubbered Scheme provides an alternative to the C Card Scheme for men who have sex with men who may be concerned about identifying their sexual orientation when asking for particular condoms via the C Card Scheme.
To order free condoms or to find out more, visit www.getrubbered.com or contact Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland on 0141 332 3838
Condom demo video
The following video shows how to use a condom properly (on a demonstration model) – condom demo video.
Users of the scheme will be treated in confidence and with respect and we expect staff to be treated with the same respect. Staff who deliver the C Card scheme have the right to refuse condoms to anyone who acts in an aggressive or disrespectful way. For further information on the C Card scheme please call the Blood Borne Virus and Sexual Health Promotion Team on 0300 303 0216 (Please note we are unable to assist with appointments for sexual health clinics at this number).
Understanding sexual health