Release Date: Friday 6th May 2022
Brits are known for their love of gardening, but can the nation’s passion for plants help break down taboos around sex and intimacy in later life? And tackle rising rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the over 65s?
To raise awareness of this increase, leading relationships charity Relate has created a series of fun, vegetable-themed condom packet designs which have been displayed amongst garden centre seed packets under the banner of ‘The Hornicultural Society’. This is the second instalment in Relate’s ‘Let’s talk the joy of later life sex’ campaign which aims to tackle the stigma around this all-too-often unspoken subject.
New research** by Relate reveals:
- Having sex (44%) is the activity over 65s in the UK said they enjoyed the most, followed by seeing family (43%) and gardening (32%)
- Over half (51%) of over 65s consider themselves to be sexually adventurous
- Both younger and older age groups felt talking more openly about sex and sexual pleasure could help prevent STIs
- 62% of UK adults consider themselves to be sexually adventurous, despite 52% saying they hadn’t bought a condom in the past year
- Half of Brits (51%) find it difficult to have conversations about sex, with the majority saying it makes them feel awkward
Relationship Psychotherapist and Relate President, Anjula Mutanda comments:
Sex and intimacy can be as adventurous and fulfilling in later life as it can be at any age. It might be different – for physical or other reasons – but it’s brilliant that our research showed it’s still a significant part of life for those who want it to be. And we shouldn’t be afraid to talk about the importance of safe sex, regardless of age.
“By bringing the sexual health debate to an unexpected environment like a garden centre, we’re once again trying to help break down taboos and get people up and down the country talking about the joy of later life sex.”
The playful, vegan, tongue-in-cheek illustrated condoms are available at the family-run, independent garden centre, Finchley Nurseries. With a nod to some of the most popular cheeky vegetable emojis, the range features aubergines, plums, courgettes, onions and avocados – forming a fully sustainable condom collection that can even be planted in a pot to biodegrade.
Hanx founders, Farah Kabir and Dr Sarah Welsh comment:
"One of the best ways to tackle the taboo of talking about sex and intimacy is being upfront about the fact it sometimes gives us the giggles - and use humour to make people feel more comfortable chatting about johnnies. We’re pleased to have provided the condoms for Relate’s campaign and want to encourage everyone to cultivate a no-blushes attitude to safe sex. Let’s get it on!’’
The campaign follows on from Relate’s bold photographic series last year with Rankin, which shone a light on the beauty of sex and intimacy in later life to break down taboos.
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Notes To Editors:
**Public Health England report figures for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the over-65s are at an all-time high. Reference from gov.uk here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/people-urged-to-practise-safer-sex-af...
** Consumer survey carried out by OnePoll of 2,000 people in the UK aged 18 and over, April 2022
About Relate
We’re the leading relationships charity in England and Wales, and last year we helped over 5.6 million people of all ages, backgrounds, sexual orientations and gender identities to strengthen their relationships. Find out more at relate.org.uk
The condoms are free but we would be delighted if anyone wanted to donate to our cause, helping us to continue offering life-changing relationship support services in England and Wales.
Further research by Relate:
General
- 62% of Brits consider themselves to be sexually adventurous, despite 52% admitting to not buying a condom in the past year
- Having sex (40%), seeing family (34%), friends (29%) and gardening (19%) are the activities Brits said they enjoyed the most.
- Over half of Brits (51%) find it difficult to have conversations about sex, with the majority saying it makes them feel awkward
- An incredible 68% of Brits feels sex is still a taboo topic in the UK today and 71% feel the same about the topic of STIs
- 41% say if they could talk in confidence to an independent relationship professional about sex and sexual relationships, they would
Older people
- 80% of over 65s have not bought condoms in the past six months
- Over half (52%) of over 65s have sex up to twice a week
- Over half (51%) of over 65s consider themselves to be sexually adventurous
- One in five over 65s have considered buying a sex toy for themselves or a partner in the past year
- Having sex (44%) is the favourite activity in the over 65s, followed by gardening (32%)
- 43% of over 65s feel more sexually liberated and confident than they did when they were younger, 32% of whom cite having open conversations with their partner as being the main reason for this
Comparisons between age groups
- Both younger and older age groups felt talking more openly about sex and sexual pleasure could help prevent STIs, as well as ease anxieties around sex and sexual relationships and ‘bring people closer emotionally’
- Interestingly, when we look at where young people got their sex education from as teenagers, the majority of over 65s say this was from friends, whilst 18-24 year olds say this came from their parents
- The majority of Brits say they find it easier to talk about embarrassing topics like sex whilst engaging in a joint activity with someone that doesn’t require eye contact such as gardening; interestingly this was most apparent in younger people with over 60% of 18-34 year olds stating this
- 84% of 18-24 year olds think we should talk about sex and sexual pleasures more openly in everyday conversation than we do now, compared to just 42% of over 65s thinking the same
About the condom collection
Hanx, the sex-positive, sustainable and gynae-backed sexual wellness brand, provided the condoms for the limited-edition fruit and vegetable themed condom range.