North West ‘Treatment as Prevention’ seminar

posted: 18/05/2012

George House Trust will be holding a day seminar on ‘Treatment as Prevention’ to be held at George House Trust in Manchester on Friday June 22nd from 10 am to 3pm (with registration open from 9.30am). Lunch will be provided.

The concept of ‘treatment as prevention’ is one which is currently the focus of much discussion amongst HIV organisations and people living with HIV.

The seminar will provide an opportunity for representatives from HIV organisations across the North and North West to discuss some of the aspects of the ‘treatment as prevention’ concept and the implications for people living with HIV.

It will provide a space for discussion about how - and if - the ‘treatment as prevention’ concept might change the way in which organisations work with, advise, and support people living with HIV.

We are delighted to announce that Gus Cairns, HIV activist and editor of NAM’s ‘HIV Treatment Update’ will be joining us to give a keynote address and lead some of the discussions.

We are inviting people to reserve a place on this seminar by emailing colin@ght.org.uk - please provide the names and job titles of people from your organisation who would like to attend.
Places will be strictly limited and so you are advised to reserve your place as soon as possible.

There will a nominal registration fee of £5 per person attending – however, we will only request this payment from you, and provide you with details of how to pay – once your place or places are confirmed.

We look forward to welcoming you to what we are sure will be an interesting and stimulating day.

Closure of Body Positive North West

posted: 17/05/2012

Today we learnt that Body Positive North West (BPNW) has closed its service to people living with HIV and ceased operations permanently.

We at George House Trust (GHT) are saddened by this news. Now, as the sole remaining HIV charity in Manchester, our main priority is to minimise the disruption to BPNW’s service users.

We wish to extend a warm welcome to people living with HIV who have been using BPNW’s services by inviting them to come to an open session at GHT on Friday 25th May 2012 from 10-12. We will be able to provide information to people on the range of services that we offer. A light lunch will be provided.

The event will be held in our training room at 75-77, Ardwick Green, Manchester. Travel expenses will be reimbursed.

If however, people can’t make the open session at this time, or if anyone needs to speak to someone at GHT sooner, or in the future, they can contact us on 0161 274 4499 or by e-mailing support@ght.org.uk

We aim to ensure that people living with HIV have access to a wide range of health and well-being services appropriate to their needs.

Rosie Robinson (Chief Executive) and David Teasdale (Chair of Trustees)

17th May 2012
 

All Saint's Musical Productions perform Rent at The Lowry

posted: 08/02/2012

A musical production at the Lowry aims to donate some of their proceeds to helping people living with HIV at George House Trust.  RENT by the All Saints Musical Productions will be at the The Quays Theatre from Tuesday 1st – Saturday 5th May 2012.
 

This extraordinary rock musical tells the heart-breaking yet optimistic story of a group of artistic friends that struggle to survive whilst living with debt, unemployment and HIV/AIDS.  There is a rollercoaster of emotions where controversial issues are taken head-on and dealt with openly and without judgement, offering a gritty and intimate snapshot of 1990’s New York. 

Featuring ‘Seasons of Love’ and a tribute to La boheme, the Puccini opera on which it is based, RENT is a musical like no other that will both move and inspire you.

Tickets can be purchased here and are £12 & £15 if you buy 10 then you get the 10th ticket free.

Further information about the All Saints Musical Productions can be found here
 

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
 

Exciting new volunteering opportunity for African people!

posted: 29/11/2011

Building on the success of the last year, George House Trust is looking for enthusiastic, committed and reliable people from African communities who are living with HIV, to join our team of African Support Volunteers.

African Peer Support is the perfect volunteering opportunity for anyone who feels that they have wisdom to share, or if you are looking to gain voluntary experience of working in the health and social care sector. In fact, many of our previous volunteers have now gone on to paid work or vocational training as a result of their developing their experience through volunteering here at George House Trust.

You will receive full training to enable you to provide one-to-one support to other African people who are living with HIV through things like:
• sharing your own experiences to help other individuals
• providing basic information about HIV
• offering emotional support

By volunteering on this project, you could help change someone’s life for the better. That is because nobody understands what it is like to be an African person living with HIV more than you.
To apply for this role, fill in this simple application form and return it to George House Trust by Tuesday 13th December, 2011.

Successful candidates will be invited for a volunteer interview on either 17th or 18th January, 2012 and those chosen at interview will be invited to induction sessions on 30th January, 3rd February and 6th February, 2012

For further information contact Susie

Please read a copy of the volunteer role description here

You can apply online here for the role or you can download copies of the application fom