A fresh look for GHT thanks to Globe

posted: 16/12/2011

A group of volunteers from GLOBE - the Deloitte network for LGBT people,

their family and friends - recently donned scruffs and grabbed rollers and paintbrushes to help George House Trust spruce up our counselling and meeting rooms in central Manchester.

Why did these lovely volunteers want to give practical help to GHT?
 

“It was a great opportunity to do something that would make a difference to the service users so that they can feel comfortable and supported. Rather than just give a donation actually giving time felt more constructive and the results were hopefully beneficial to the clients and staff at GHT.”

“It was a pleasure to be able help GHT continue to deliver their ‘red carpet’ treatment through re-vamping a number of their meeting rooms. Not only was this for a great cause, but it was also lots of fun!”

“Personally, my interest was in getting my sleeves rolled up and doing something hands-on and practical to help an organisation providing such invaluable support to their clients. To be able to help with such a basic but labour-intensive task was a refreshing change. It was a great feeling painting the rooms, and knowing that in a couple of days staff and service users would be in there, and that our work would make a difference to their experience.”

And why did they choose GHT as the charity they wanted to help most?
 

“I wanted to get involved as I think what GHT does for people is amazing - giving people living with HIV a safe place to go and discuss their issues with other people in the same position. The fact they have so many people volunteering and giving up their time to offer a free service as well as helping to raise awareness of HIV is fantastic and giving up a Saturday was the least I could do. I have a couple of friends with HIV and I have seen how it has affected them, so I think the work GHT does to help people like my friends is inspiring.”

A really heartfelt thanks to the volunteers from GLOBE from everyone at GHT. We really needed to decorate, but just couldn’t afford it. Thanks for making this happen and for making such a difference. Rosie Robinson, Chief Executive
 

Justice For Chenai

posted: 24/08/2011

GHT is supporting a campaign for a Zimbabwean woman, Chenai Mudzamiri to stay in the UK.

Chenai fled from Zimbabwe and claimed asylum in the UK after she was brutally imprisoned, raped and
tortured for not actively supporting the ruling party, Zanu PF.  The Home Office have decided that she does not have a case for asylum, so she is at risk of deportation back to Zimbabwe.

Chenai has a well founded fear of persecution if she is returned to Zimbabwe. Deporting Chenai would breach Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which prohibits you from returning a person to face torture.

Please send a letter to the Home Secretary, which can be downloaded here.

You can also sign Chenai's e-petition here.

Thanks for your support.

Manchester Pride 2011, a Message from GHT

posted: 23/08/2011

Is it really that time of year again? Manchester Pride is fast approaching and there's only a few days now until the Big Weekend.

For the last few months we have been preparing for what we hope will be another successful and memorable campaign. This year our campaign - to tie in with the ‘Best of British’ theme of Pride 2011 - is ‘I Heart GHT’.

We decided on our slogan earlier in the year and it may look familiar to you given the recent riots which unfolded recently in Manchester and across the country.

Shortly after these events the ‘I Heart Mcr’ campaign took off. We fully support this campaign and what it stands for and we're proud to be part of this fantastic city.

We hope that our 'I Heart GHT' campaign complements the other similar campaigns that are around at the moment. We want to make sure that everyone knows about our services and how proud we are of them!

We look forward to seeing you on the Parade, at our stall in the Expo or at the Candlelit Vigil in Sackville Gardens on Bank Holiday Monday.

Have a happy, peaceful and safe Manchester Pride 2011 - from all of us at GHT.

George House Trust Podcast #1

posted: 14/07/2011

George House Trust has produced its first podcast which is now available to view online through any mobile device with an internet connection.

Click here to view our podcast
 

In this webisode Chief Executive Rosie Robinson and Vice Chair David Teasdale talk about the recent effects the current economic climate has had on GHT and explain the subsequent changes GHT has made to both the staffing structure and the services which it provides. Rosie and David also explain the process involved in making those decisions.

The podcast was produced using the existing skills of the staff team and will hopefully be a regular and effective way of communicating to our service users, volunteers and supporters.

We hope to bring you more podcasts in the future so watch this space.
 

Changes to Our Services

posted: 18/04/2011

There are some exciting changes to services at George House Trust. Some of the group spaces will happen less often, but we will have three new services for everyone. People using George House Trust services have asked us for more chances to meet with a wide mix of people living with HIV – opportunities to meet others that are not based on gender, race, or sexuality.
 

Saturday Space is every month and will stay the same.
 

Weekly Gay Men’s Space
For the time being Gay Men’s Space will stay weekly on Monday evenings. This will be reviewed over the next 5 months. For now the gay men’s space is funded by the Elton John AIDS Foundation but this funding will stop at the end of September. We have already talked about this at the space and all changes will be discussed fully with men at the space before changes are made.
 

African Space on 1st Tuesday of every month
The African Space will become monthly starting in May. African Space will be the first Tuesday of the month. It will be just like the African Space is now.
 

Coffee Morning on 2nd Tuesdays of every month
There will be a new Coffee Morning, run by volunteers on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, starting on the 10th of May. This will be from 10.30 – 12.30 and there will be a crèche. Coffee Mornings are for all people living with HIV. The Coffee Mornings will be run by volunteers and during the Coffee Morning there will be no access to staff, the reception, computers, phone nor emergency payments.
 

Women’s Space on 3rd Tuesday of every month
The Women’s Space will become monthly starting in May. Women’s Space will be the third Tuesday. It will be just like the Women’s Space is now.
 

Health Information Sessions on 4th Tuesday of every month
There will be new monthly Health Information Sessions, on the 4th Tuesday of the month. These will be from 12 noon – 2.30 and open to all people living with HIV. There is no need to book. These sessions will usually be led by George House Trust staff and each month there will be a different topic. There will be a crèche and some food.
 

When there are five Tuesdays in the month there will be no space or other service on the 5th Tuesday.
 

Monthly HIV Workshops - dates and times vary
In addition to the Tuesday services we will also be offering a monthly HIV workshop. There will not be a regular date because our training room is sometimes booked. The Monthly HIV Workshops will last about 3.5 hours. There will not be a crèche but we can help with child care costs if you ask in advance.

The next workshop will be about Disclosure, telling other people about having HIV, on Friday 27th May. We have not set the exact time yet.

You will need to book a place at these workshops in advance - please contact Nathan Perry the George House Trust Health Trainer for more details

Computers and Phone in reception
If you want to use the computers in our reception, please ring and book if you have credit on your phone. If you have not booked and just arrive you will be able to use the computer if one is free.
 

No appointment?
We want to strongly encourage people to always make appointments. The services team will only be able to see people without appointments if it is most urgent.
 

Check the website diary for more details and dates

The website diary has the dates and details of all services until the end of May, and for some services for after this. We will add all the dates and details for the rest of the year to the diary before the end of April. See our services diary  

Tell us what you think

Lynda, our director of services is happy to receive feedback on all aspects of our work and services, please email her It is really important that we have your support and backing - we want to provide the services that you want and need.