CLASH team attend Afro Hair and Beauty Show
27 May 2026
CNWL's CLASH team attended this year’s Afro Hair and Beauty Show 2026 Live, where they spent the day speaking to members of the public about sexual health, testing and accessing support services.
The team engaged with more than 200 people throughout the event, mainly from Black communities and other global majority backgrounds. Conversations covered a range of important topics including:
- STI testing
- HIV awareness
- PrEP
- Vaccinations
- Contraception options
- How often to get tested
- Accessing CNWL services
- Buying condoms
The event also gave people the opportunity to ask questions and challenge common myths around sexual health, including beliefs such as “I’m married so I don’t need to test.” The team encouraged attendees to continue open conversations within their families, friendship groups, and wider communities.
To help start conversations, the team used interactive activities including a “Spin the Wheel” game and a Black Activist and Healthcare board. Attendees could also win prizes including Black skin tone condoms, standard condoms, and restaurant vouchers kindly donated by Pizza Express and Pho.
The team also carried out CIAB screening during the event, with 22 people screened in total.
Feedback from attendees was extremely positive, with many praising the team’s friendly and welcoming approach. Comments included:
“Loved the service 10 out of 10”
“Ladies are lovely, friendly and doing amazing work”
“Great team, great experience and conversation”
“Good, quick and informative — should have done this long, long ago. Thank you!”
A huge thank you to everyone involved on the day:
- Kaylee – Health Promotion Manager
- Alice & Allison – Health Promotion Specialists
- Anne-Marie – Bank Support Worker
- Jasmin – Health Care Support Worker
- Joy – Hep B Peer Support Worker
The event highlighted the importance of taking sexual health information and support directly into communities and creating safe spaces for open and honest conversations.
Find out more about CLASH here.