Spearheaded by the dedicated and inspiring Mace O’Shaughnessy, local organisation SHED is committed to making a positive impact in our community by focusing on several often-taboo topics around being a woman in this modern world. SHED works tirelessly to promote positive sexual health and wellbeing via education, actively working to alleviate period poverty, and empowering women across the nation.
Mace’s passion for helping people led her to incorporate the organisation just over two years ago under the name of SHINE, with the aim of ending period poverty in our local community. Since then, her personal journey has led her to revise and expand her organisation’s mission further to educate and empower women, and she rebranded earlier this year to SHED, which stands for “Support, Health, Equality, and Diversity”.
Just over a year ago, Mace’s life took a traumatic turn when she experienced domestic violence that shook her world. Showcasing incredible resilience, Mace decided to use this horrific experience to fuel her mission further.
SHED’s focus on sexual health education, addressing period poverty and empowering women reflects Mace’s commitment to creating big change in 2024 and beyond. By fostering a supportive and informed community, SHED aims to contribute to the end of period poverty and raise awareness about sexual health issues, while empowering women to take control of their own sexual wellbeing.
In supporting SHED, we as an organisation not only endorse her incredible cause but also stand in solidarity with individuals like Mace, who, through strength and community, are turning adversity into opportunities for growth and healing.
Follow SHED on social media to stay informed and educated – F: SHED I: @SHED
Sexually Transmitted Infections Myth Busting:
MYTH: An STI Test will hurt.
TRUTH: STI testing typically uses urine or blood tests. If symptoms require a swab, it’s minimally invasive—similar to a cotton bud.
MYTH: It’s only the younger generation that tests positive for STIs and STDs.
TRUTH: False. STIs are not exclusive to younger individuals; they can affect anyone, regardless of age or life stage. In the past decade, STI diagnoses increased by over a third in individuals aged 50-70.
MYTH: An STI test is embarrassing.
TRUTH: There’s absolutely no shame in undergoing an STI test. Prioritising your health contributes to a better quality of life, fostering self-care and wellbeing.
Where can I get help locally?
✰𝘈𝘴𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘦, Skelmersdale
✰𝘚𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘺 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘦, Skelmersdale
✰𝘊𝘢𝘚𝘏 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 25’𝘴, 𝘖𝘳𝘮𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘳𝘬
✰𝘏𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘦, 𝘖𝘳𝘮𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘳𝘬
✰𝘛𝘦𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘦 A𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦 Z𝘰𝘯𝘦, 𝘚𝘵. 𝘏𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘴
✰𝘚𝘦𝘧𝘵𝘰𝘯 S𝘦𝘹𝘶𝘢𝘭 H𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 S𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦, 𝘔𝘢𝘨𝘩𝘶𝘭𝘭
✰𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘮 S𝘦𝘹𝘶𝘢𝘭 H𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 𝘊𝘐𝘊, 𝘓𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩
Visit: www.sh24.org.uk – If you are eligible, you can use this service to order free contraception, STI Test Kits, Emergency Contraception, Genital Wart Treatment and Genital Herpes Treatment.
Or visit www.fettle.health/sti to purchase at-home STI Test Kits.