George House Trust - Our History
Feel free to browse through the potted histories of life at George House Trust. 1985 - 2008 and still going from strength to strength, with your help, support and belief in what we do and stand for.
1985
Six gay men get together in Manchester and set up a voluntary helpline, in rented premises. Manchester Council awards Manchester AIDSline a small grant to operate its helpline.
The national organisation Terrence Higgins Trust decides not to establish a north west 'branch' of its own in Manchester. Manchester Council uses the Government's NHS legislation to detain a patient with HIV at Monsall Hospital.
1986
Manchester Council establishes an 'AIDS Working Party' open to voluntary sector involvement, and invites Manchester AIDSline to become a member.
Body Positive North West is formed, from a group originally meeting within Manchester AIDSline.
1987
Manchester AIDSline holds its first Annual General Meeting and becomes formally constituted. The North Western Regional Health Authority agrees to support Manchester AIDSline, with 3 paid worker posts, on a three year contract basis.
Manchester Council uses part of its Government AIDS Support Grant to support Manchester AIDSline with 2 paid worker posts.
1988
Manchester AIDSline starts discussions with other voluntary and health-related organisations in order to seek a permanent building for its base. Another temporary move of rented offices takes place for the helpline.
1989
Manchester AIDSline decides to purchase a site and build its own building. The organisation also decides to appoint a Manager, with management responsibilities for staff, finance, property, rather than fill the 'Co-ordinator' vacancy.
AIDSline gains Health Authority agreement to funding an HIV worker in every Community Drugs Team. AIDSline members take on appointment and distance-management of the Central Manchester CDT post.
1990
George House is built, named, staffed and managed.
Manchester AIDSline agrees to manage the workers and finances of Body Positive North West.
'HIV and the Under 5s' is produced by AIDSline women volunteers. It is disseminated nationally and internationally. Community care services for people with HIV begin to be provided, in and through George House.
AIDSline becomes part of the NWRHA's Palliative Care Forum, making links with generic hospices and helping to form the RHA's Palliative Care Framework (eventually launched in 1992).
1991
George House is officially launched. The design and slogan are agreed: "There is still life with HIV". The first in a series of 'Joint Planning, Community Care and HIV Disease' is published.
A women only day is established in George House, within which HIV positive women meet and start to receive services. Manchester AIDSline's paid and unpaid workers develop and gain funding for Manchester Action on Street Health project, which is then set up on its own.
Body Positive North West holds its first Annual General Meeting and elects its first Trustees.
1992
All paid and unpaid workers move out of George House, into nearby office space, so that George House will be used for Services only .
Manchester AIDSline and Body Positive North West debate the options of joint working, total merger, and total independence. Both Annual General Meetings agree to separate development. Manchester AIDSline becomes George House Trust; and Body Positive North West moves into its own premises.
Body Positive North West develops Monday-Friday daytime general drop-in and lunch provision; George House Trust further develops its services on a specific basis, e.g. for HIV positive women, drug users, black people, as well as general drop-in, befriending, Welfare Fund and information.
George House Trust carries out the survey of HIV planning in the north west, which results in the publication 'Making HIV Community Care a Reality'.
1993
George House Trust petitions and lobbies Virginia Bottomley on her visit to the Regional Health Authority.
15,000 postcards are sent to Mrs Bottomley to support HIV funding.
George House Trust brings together all HIV voluntary organisations across the north, to consider joint action against the Government's down-grading of HIV and the threatened end of specific funding for HIV services.
Manchester Council removes the voluntary sector from its 'Aids Working Party', commissions an extensive Review of HIV voluntary services, and puts all voluntary sector grant-aided workers on 3 months' funding.
George House Trust decides to prioritise gay men's issues and services relating to HIV, in the context of generalisation having failed. The post is devised - and appointed - of Gay Men's Services Manager.
1994
George House Trust acquires and moves into new permanent offices, with training facilities and resource rooms, in Ardwick Green North.
From its work on 'Health of the Nation' in the north west, George House Trust organises the Conference "Securing the Future of HIV Services" and publishes the report of the same name. These attempt to gain purchasers' support for sustaining existing services for people with HIV after the ending of 'ring-fencing' and abolition of Regional Health Authorities.
Manchester Council cuts its funding to George House Trust and Body Positive North West by £45,000 apiece.
George House Trust organises campaigning for an equal Age of Consent, including discussion with David Blunkett MP in Manchester.
'Children First', a national Conference on children and HIV, is organised by George House Trust.
George House Trust launches 'Agenda', the new quarterly national publication for discussing HIV policy and practice, at the House of Commons in November.
1995
International Women's Day of Events to support HIV positive women, takes place on March 8.
Manchester Council ceases all funding directly to George House Trust.
Manchester Health Commission agrees a three year contract with George House Trust for 1996-1999. George House Trust celebrates 10 Years of Action on HIV with a public awareness campaign, the launch of the Second Decade Appeal and a night club party.
George House Trust helps bring together the managers of other HIV regional organisations who begin to function as an informal network. George House Trust develops its traditional Befriending service to a flexible and responsive team based Community Support service.
1996
George House Trust surveys all the Prospective Parliamentary Candidates from the three main, and two nationalist parties on their opinions regarding HIV - over 40,000 campaign postcards are distributed nationally encouraging individuals to lobby their PPCs.
In the summer George House Trust organises a major public awareness campaign - Wake Up Manchester - Manchester has HIV. Boy George DJs at our major fundraising event "Tradespotting".
A national conference on HIV policy - Agenda for Change is held in Manchester Town Hall.
George House Trust represented at the 11th International Conference on HIV in Vancouver where Protease Inhibitors are launched.
1997
General Election campaign continues, now largest specific parliamentary survey carried out that Parliament. 530 candidates respond positively with their support.
Agenda General Election special launched at press conference.
Become founding member of the HIV Alliance, by the end of the year to include six other regional HIV voluntary organisations from across Britain. Host first common meetings of direct service staff and gay mens prevention staff. Second national conference - Positive Agenda for Change is held in Manchester Town Hall.
Lead campaign against Jack Straw's proposal to make HIV transmission an offence.
Open comprehensive HIV information and resource centre (most comprehensive outside London) in Ardwick offices.
GHT calls on the newly elected Government to fulfil ifs pre-election promise and develop a National HIV Strategy.
1998
Receive SmithKline Beecham "Impact" award for excellence in the Community.
Launch new Community Report "Insight"
George House Trust collecting tins throughout Manchester Lesbian and Gay bars.
Third and largest ever "Agenda for Change" Conference in Manchester
Members of the HIV Alliance discuss the creation of a single National HIV Organisation with the Terrence Higgins Trust. Four out of seven members merge with the THT. George House Trust decides to remain independent believing that the original objectives of a single organisation had not been met. First ever sustained Secondary Prevention campaign aimed at HIV positive gay men.
1999
First ever HIV positive Womens' Agenda for Change Conference and Positive Women's Network
Launch of new publication - Care for people with HIV in General Practice
Continuation of Lottery awarded funding for Carers' Support
Comprehensive update of both George House Trust and Agenda Websites
George House Trust takes the lead on the "Camden Case" campaign - where Camden Social Services try to use the court to force a woman with HIV to have her baby tested against her will.
We join with our partners in Scotland to (successfully) campaign against the Bank of Scotland's tie up with a bank owned by the homophobic Pat Robertson.
Department for Education and Employment awards George House Trust a three year contract MV contract.
2000
GHT celebrates 15 years of action on HIV
Fifth Agenda Conference "Agenda for Changing Times" held in Manchester Town Hall
Comic Relief fund GHT for three years to develop a Positive Women's Network
George House Trust steps up campaign for the repeal of Section 28 of the 1988 Local Government Act - including campaigns against bus operator Stagecoach (who had been funding the campaign against Section 28 in Scotland).
Oppose the merger of the draft National HIV Strategy with the National Sexual Health Strategy.
GHT represented at the 13th International Conference on HIV in Durban South African which is addressed by Nelson Mandela.
"HIV - It's not over" awareness campaign at Manchester's lesbian and gay Mardi Gras weekend.
2001
GHT launched "10 Actions on HIV for the New Parliament" campaign and is the only HIV organisation to brief all parliamentary candidates about HIV.
National Sexual Health and HIV Strategy finally launched - George House Trust makes formal contribution to consultation.
Annual General Meeting votes to not support people with HIV in seeking to achieve criminal convictions for HIV transmission.
A need for further development of more specialised services for people with HIV recognised in the appointment of a new post of Services Manager.
"Global Crisis, Global Action" campaign launched to raise awarness of HIV world wide.
Service for HIV positive African people started.
2002
George House Trust the first organisation in the country to outline constructively how the National HIV Strategy can be implemented in publication "Making it work for People with HIV".
New secondary prevention campaign launched to raise the heath needs of HIV positive gay men.
Hosted the North West leg of a national speaker tour to launch the Stop AIDS Campaign.
African service moves from a trial monthly service to a fortnightly service.
Weekend break provided for the first time for over 30 African adults and children “Insight Special” produced on volunteering to encourage more people to volunteer with the organisation.
2003
Partnership work with Barnardos Health Through Action Project to develop a common set of school holidays activities for children with and affected by HIV.
First residential weekend for HIV positive gay men organised jointly with the Lesbian and Gay Foundation.
Policy and Publications Coordinator appointed to develop the range of publications produced by GHT.
Operation Fundraiser launched – a joint community fundraising initiative with the Lesbian and Gay Foundation.
George House Trust becomes a founder member of Europride (later to become Manchester Pride) and organises the closing event, the HIV candlelit vigil, attended by 4,000 people.
2004
1 in 150 campaign launched to highlight the global HIV epidemic.
Attendance at the World Aids conference in Bangkok.
Shaping the Future conference held at GHT, enabling people to come together to discuss the future of HIV services.
Testing, Testing, 1,2,3 campaign launched to encourage more informed choices around HIV testing for gay men.
Quarterly Saturday space developed to provide access to the full range of GHT services and peer support outside of working hours.
Funding received from the Elton John Aids Foundation for provision of services to gay men.
HIV Candlelight vigil closed by Beverley Knight.
2005
GHT celebrates its 20 year anniversary, and launches the 20.05 Time for Action campaign.
Refurbishment of 77 Ardwick Green North premises to include a designated reception and improved staff areas.
3 year funding awarded by the Big Lottery Fund for work with African communities.
Appointment of a full time volunteer coordinator supported by 3 years of funding from Volunteering England.
Launch of newly diagnosed packs available in clinics across the North West.
Gregory’s Place opened its doors as the first purpose-designed centre for families affected by HIV.
Relaunch of quarterly ‘Insight’ magazine with a new format and redesign.
2006
Pride+ campaign launched – Positively part of Pride.
Increase in adviser team with the appointment of 2 new service advisers.
Funding obtained from the Refugee Integration Challenge Fund to provide support to HIV positive refugees and their families.
Pride Sports launches the Positively Healthy initiative working with GHT to promote exercise and physical activities to positive gay men.
New regular advice sessions started at North Manchester General Hospital, Manchester Royal Infirmary and Salford Goodman Centre
2007
GHT stages a national exhibition of the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt, attended by over 800 people.
HIV “No Shame, No Blame, No Crime” campaign launched at the annual Manchester Pride weekend.
Investing in Volunteers kite mark awarded.
GHT hosts a regional conference as part of the UKC’s Positive Action Conference.
2008
Saturday space is relaunched as a monthly service.
3 year funding obtained from the Henry Smith Foundation for work with families.
Funding awarded by the Equality and Human Rights Commission to develop a positive speakers programme.
GHT Service Monitoring and Review Team provide service user consultation on a number of issues for Manchester Primary Care Trust.
Funding obtained from the Co-operative Foundation to support some of the costs of our volunteering department.
"What's your Attitude" campaign launched at the 2008 Manchester Pride, challenging people's attitudes towards people living with HIV.
Our Volunteers won the North West "Nationwide Heritage" Award for their role in the Quilt Exhibition held in 2007.