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Boris backs national HIV testing campaign

Boris Johnson the Mayor of London is backing a major HIV testing campaign in the run up to World AIDS Day this Saturday, December 1.

The testing campaign runs from November 23-30 and aims to increase testing among the most at risk populations, gay men and Africans in particular.
 
Boris said:

“London is home to almost half of all people living with HIV in the UK, but a quarter of them are unaware they carry the virus. It is vital that people who might be at risk get tested, not only to reduce the risk of transmission to others, but to ensure they get the life-saving treatments that are available.”

The Mayor’s HIV Ambassador singer Annie Lennox, said:

“Stigma, fear and complacency are the greatest obstacles to people seeking out their HIV status. This is why Terrence Higgins Trust and the Mayor of London have taken this initiative to encourage those most at risk to take the HIV test.  Knowing your status can literally be a life saving action.”

Gay men and Africans remain the groups most at risk of HIV in the UK, with around 1 in 20 people from both groups infected with the virus. That number rises to one in seven among men on the London gay scene.

A quarter of people with HIV in the UK remain untested and unaware they have the virus.

Terrence Higgins Trust (THT), which is co-ordinating National HIV Testing Week as part of HIV Prevention England’s Think HIV campaign, marked 30 years at the forefront of campaigning on HIV and sexual health with a reception at City Hall, attended by Annie Lennox, the Deputy Mayor for London Victoria Borwick and other community activists, including people living with HIV.

Sir Nick Partridge, Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust, said:

“THT was founded by a handful of people in a flat in London 30 years ago. Today we provide services for thousands of people every year and London remains at the centre of the HIV epidemic in the UK.
 
“We are delighted that the Mayor and his Ambassador are backing our campaign to encourage more Londoners to get tested and to drive down rates of HIV in the capital. We are determined to work together with the Mayor’s Office and local councils, to strengthen the capital’s response to HIV.”

Deputy Mayor for London Victoria Borwick, commented:

“Terrence Higgins Trust continues to play a key role in educating people so they can protect themselves against HIV, as well as providing advice and support to people living with and affected by HIV. I hope this year’s campaign for World AIDS Day will encourage anyone with concerns to seek out advice and get tested.”

MPs encourage local residents to get tested

Simon Kirby, MP and Mike Weatherley, MP

Both local Conservative MPs, Mike Weatherley, the MP for Hove and Portslade and Simon Kirby, MP for Portslade & Peacehaven are calling on all residents in Brighton & Hove to get tested during England’s first National HIV Testing Week.

HIV and sexual health charity Terrance Higgins Trust (THT) launched National HIV Testing Week on Friday 23, November, to encourage at risk groups to take an HIV test.

The aim of HIV testing week is to:

• Increase testing amongst the most-at-risk populations across England.
• Increase awareness of the importance and acceptability of testing amongst these groups.
• Increase access to testing in the community and statutory settings.

HIV Testing Week runs from November 23-30, ahead of World Aids Day on December 1.

For more information on National HIV Testing Week, view:
THT

Last year, Mike took a rapid HIV test in Parliament on World Aids Day to raise awareness of the need for early diagnosis of HIV.

The number of new HIV cases in Brighton & Hove has been rising, with almost 2,000 people treated last year compared to 758 in 2001 and, for the first time ever, more than half of the new cases were caught through heterosexual sex.

Mike said:

“Given that instances of HIV are rising in Brighton & Hove, it is more important than ever for both gay and straight residents of the city to get tested. Up to a quarter of people living with HIV in the UK do not know that they have it, so increasing testing and reducing the stigma attached to it will help reduce this figure.”

Simon said:

“Currently one in four people living with HIV in the UK are undiagnosed, meaning there are more than 22,000 people living in the UK who do not know that they have the virus. This has serious implications for individuals concerns and for wider public health.
 
“HIV Testing Week gives us an opportunity to send out the clear message that testing is the cornerstone of the fight against HIV, and that by increasing testing amongst at risk groups we can go a long way to saving lives and reducing infection rates.
 
“This is an especially important issue in my constituency, as Brighton Kemptown has  a large population of gay men which is one of the groups most at risk. I will be doing what I can this week to raise awareness of the importance HIV testing, and I would urge all of my constituents to heed the message and spread the word”

Council agrees grants programme for next three years

Brighton & Hove City Council has announced its programme of grants to voluntary sector and arts organisations for the next three years.

The 2013-16 programme sees investment in community groups and voluntary organisations which work across many different areas and age groups in the city including the arts and sport.

The council’s continues its commitment to funding the LGBT organisations, Allsorts and LGBT Switchboard and MindOut, the LGBT mental health project receives council funding for the first time.

The programme sets out the council’s commitment to protect services for the most vulnerable: be that by gender, disability, sexuality, age or ethnicity.

The report goes to the Policy and Resources Committee on Nov 29, 2012 recommending 69 strategic grants for the period (including 10 organisations not currently receiving longer-term grants) ranging from £5,000 to £100,000 pa. This is worth in total £1.25M each year.

If the proposals are approved by committee a further 10 organisations will receive alternative support including money from the annual grants programme.

Cllr Jason Kitcat

Council Leader Cllr Jason Kitcat, said:

“We are one of the most innovative councils in the country in the way we are using grant funding to support local community and voluntary sector groups who help some of the most vulnerable people in our society. These groups face massive challenges in uncertain economic times and we need to help protect and support them to build resilience in the city’s communities now and for the future. I recognise how valuable the work of the third sector is in our city, which is why we are now one of only a very few councils still choosing to support community and voluntary groups with strategic grants.”

Sally Polanski, Chief Executive of CVSF said:

“This grants programme is vital to the essential and vibrant work going on in the community and voluntary sector in Brighton & Hove at the moment. At a time when cuts are happening across all areas to be able to protect and nurture work which helps residents – especially vulnerable residents is great news.”

Princes voice support for THT and call on their generation to continue the fight against HIV

John Swannell’s print of the young princes with their mother will be auctioned at Terrence Higgins Trust’s 30th Anniversary Auction in March.

Their Royal Highnesses the Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry have sent a message of support to HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) to mark its 30th anniversary.

Sir Nick Partridge, Chief Executive of THT, said:

“We are incredibly honoured to have this message of support from Their Royal Highnesses. In the 30 years since Terry Higgins’ friends founded our charity we’ve achieved so much but the fight against HIV is far from over.  It’s wonderful to see the princes inspiring their generation to take up the cause the way their mother inspired mine.”

Photographer John Swannell has donated a print of the young princes with their mother to THT, which will be included as a lot at its 30th Anniversary Auction at Christie’s on March 21, 2013.

Terry Higgins died of an AIDS-related illness on July 4, 1982 at St Thomas’ Hospital, London. He was 37 years old. That same year, three of his closest friends founded the Terry Higgins Trust, using Terry’s name in the hope of humanising and personalising AIDS in a very public way.

From that first meeting in a small flat in East London, THT has grown to become the UK’s largest HIV and sexual health charity, with services across England, Scotland and Wales.

To read the Princes full message, view:
THT

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