HIV Hardship Fund ‘Soon’

posted: 05/07/2010

Following Crusaid’s merger last month with Terrence Higgins Trust (THT), THT have vowed to re-open the Crusaid HIV hardship fund "as soon as possible." The hardship fund provides vital financial assistance to people living with HIV.

After addressing thousands of people at Pride London's Trafalgar Square stage, Lisa Power - Corporate Head of Policy at THT - told PinkPaper "The most important thing I have to say today is that we are going to re-open the hardship fund as soon as we can, within the next few months. After that, we're going to make sure it has a long-term future. And that it helps people to help themselves.”

"We've just done a big research project with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation which shows that older gay men with HIV are in far more poverty than their peers, so we know that there's a real issue out there. As people survive longer with HIV, it's not just about the pills keeping you well, but also the quality of your life".

When asked about the criticisms surrounding THT's recent merger with Crusaid, Lisa Power rebutted complaints that they are monopolising the HIV and STI community health sector. "We merge with people who approach us, which is what Crusaid did. The issue is about making sure services survive. We represent economies of scale. We represent a whole load of stuff that is available, which smaller organisations can't do alone."
 

Source

 

Gay Couples HIV Campaign

posted: 29/06/2010

Gay men in relationships are the focus of a new HIV prevention campaign by Terrence Higgins Trust. Men in couples are left out of many HIV prevention campaigns, which focus more on HIV risks in casual sexual encounters. But a good number of HIV transmissions happen in couples.

Condoms, talking and testing

This new campaign reminds men of two things they can do to protect themselves and their boyfriend – carry on using condoms with each other or, if they want to ditch condoms, both test for HIV first.
 

Toothbrush talk

The poster has two toothbrushes in a glass to show a relationship, and asks men to think about the question 'When you find a boyfriend, can you lose the condoms?' The ad advises 'Use condoms unless you’ve both tested. And keep using them if you’re having risky sex with others.' The campaign knows that not all couples are monogamous (even if they think they are), and that sex outside the relationship is how HIV joins some relationships.

Talking matters

The idea is to get men talking about one of the most important aspects of their relationship: their sex life. The message to couples is a clear one: condoms are one of the best ways to protect against HIV and testing is the only sure way to know both your status and your partner’s. So before you have unprotected sex, why not talk first?
 

Alan Wardle, Head of Health Promotion at THT said: “We know that for some men in a relationship, condoms can be one of the first things to go. Why do you need them if you’re in a relationship? Yet the fact is, if you’ve not talked to your partner about their sexual history and yours before you ditch the condoms, you could be at risk. We know that some men may find it difficult to discuss their past sex life with their partner, but if you don’t talk about it how will you know?”
 

Outside of London, men are more likely to see the campaign on gaydar. Mostly the campaign will be seen in ads in the London gay press, and in posters and postcards in London bars, saunas, STI clinics and community centres, because it is funded by and for London.

Positive and negative couples?

The campaign assumes neither man is diagnosed with HIV. Where one man has HIV and the other doesn’t, or the other man hasn’t tested recently, help is definitely available and the choices can be different.

George House Trust is happy to advise in confidence and tell you about the support we and other HIV services in NW England offer.

Find out more by email

or telephone 0161 274 4499

Source 
 

Keep HIV in Focus - Crusaid-THT

posted: 16/06/2010

The chief executive of National AIDS Trust urges a continued focus on HIV welfare, following Crusaid's merger with Terrence Higgins Trust, which was announced on Monday.
Deborah Jack expressed her sadness at seeing Crusaid come to an end after 20 years and voiced her worries for the future, in an interview with the PinkPaper.
 

“My main concern is that we’ve lost a charity solely focused with HIV into an organisation which covers all aspects of sexual health. Crusaid always supported those in the greatest need.

The important thing now is making sure … people [living with HIV] are still given the focus they require. Tensions may arise …. as Crusaid staff are used to working on more specific issues around HIV. I am, however, pleased THT have made a public commitment to continue the hardship fund which provides a valuable lifeline for … people living in poverty with HIV."
 

AIDS Support Grant risks
The merger comes just after Communities Secretary Eric Pickles’ announced that the AIDS Support Grant (ASG) will no longer be ring-fenced. This means that this £25.5 million grant (almost £2 million is for NW England) does not have to be spent on social care for people living with HIV. Deborah Jack believes it is important to hold local authorities to account for how they spend this money, otherwise there could be major repercussions, highlighted in a recent report that NAT produced with Crusaid into the need for the Crusaid HIV hardship fund.
 

“In the report we found that 1 in 6 people being treated for HIV applied for help from Crusaid with an average income of just £42 per week. One of the main problems is that many charities rely on contracts from central or local government and without the [AIDS Support Grant] money it might put lots of the smaller charities supporting people on the ground into financial difficulties. A lot of charities use the money they get from the AIDS Support Grant to provide counselling and peer support for people living with HIV. If this money isn’t being spent [on HIV anymore] then these services will be cut and then people in the greatest need will not have the same emotional support, which may lead to … [people living with HIV] becoming isolated and depressed.”
 

Source PinkPaper

Crusaid Merge with THT

posted: 14/06/2010

Crusaid, Britain's largest HIV fundraising and grant making charity has just announced it has merged with the biggest HIV and sexual health charity, Terrence Higgins Trust. 

The merged organisation is now part of the THT brand and will continue to provide grants for people with HIV in need and it hopes to improve HIV fundraising. The news comes just one week after Crusaid's annual Walk for Life in London raised an estimated £250,000.
 

Jordan Hay, Chief Executive of Crusaid, said: “We initiated this merger to ensure that our hardship fund can continue to make a vital difference to the ever-increasing numbers of people diagnosed with HIV each year in the UK. THT shares our vision and values and we are excited about the opportunities to support people with HIV that this merger presents.”
 

Senior staff members from both organisations will now refresh the anti-poverty strategy to support people with HIV, based on research and experience from both organisations.
 

Sir Nick Partridge, Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “I’m delighted to confirm that Crusaid and Terrence Higgins Trust have merged. The merger will preserve the Crusaid Hardship Fund in a very challenging economic climate and help ensure that people with HIV have the ongoing support they so vitally need. We are also looking forward to combining our experience and research for a renewed anti-poverty strategy in support of people living with HIV in the UK.”
 

Source 
Crusaid merger statement 
THT’s press releases
 

Gay Men’s Turn to Talk

posted: 23/04/2010

Terrence Higgins Trust has a new web-forum for gay and bisexual men, positive and negative, and they invite you to join the others chatting.

They are interested in hearing what you've got to say about your sex life. What’s said in the forum is confidential but Terrence Higgins Trust are paying attention and listening.

What you say and talk about will help shape what Terrence Higgins Trust does for you and other gay/bi men in the future.

You need to register to join in.  There's a linked Facebook page and Twitter stream
 

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