New Trustee with Connections

posted: 30/07/2010

David Borrow has just joined the Board of George House Trust as a trustee. Until the election in May, he was the chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on HIV and AIDS, and was a North-West Labour MP. He has shown a close interest in the work of George House Trust.

David will bring valuable skills and useful connections that will help strengthen the ability of Board of Trustees to steer us through the challenges of dealing with the difficult economic situation.
 

National lobbying support
His connections and advice will enable us to work better with all the political parties at a national level for people with HIV. His expertise at the national level will complement the local and regional government expertise Paul Fairweather brings us.
 

David Borrow commented "I worked with the George House Trust when I was in parliament where I was an officer of the All Party HIV Group. I have visited George House Trust every summer and I am really pleased to be invited to contribute to the charity's work as a trustee. I am keen to continue working to tackle the HIV epidemic now I am no longer an MP. I have a lot to learn about the detailed work of George House Trust but I hope I can help make a difference.'
 

All Party Parliamentary Group on HIV and AIDS
 

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

 

Our July Sports Day

posted: 21/06/2010

The annual Sports Day of George House Trust is on Saturday 10 July at Longford Stadium, near the Stretford metro/tram stop. Be there by 10.30 to be ready for the 11am start. Help us celebrate George House Trust’s 25th Birthday with our Sports Day, which is for everyone living with or affected by HIV, as well as all supporters and volunteers.

Please invite your Facebook Friends
 

Activities
There will be coaching sessions where you can try new sports and activities, track and field events and some competitive track races. There will also be activities for children.
Come along and take part, or watch and support those taking part. If you are joining in sports activities, please wear appropriate sports clothing and trainers.

 

Food
Please bring your own picnic, or shop locally. Unfortunately the stadium CAFE IS CLOSED
 

More information from email Lynda or by phone 0161 274 5652

Travel
Buses 16, 16A, 22, 23, 23A, 276, 297
Tram / metro to Stretford
map and directions Longford Park Stadium Ryebank Road Chorlton Manchester M21 9TA
 

This sports event is supported by Positively Healthy
Longford stadium image © Copyright R Greenhalgh and licensed for reuse under a Creative Commons Licence
 

Drug Company Money - No Thanks

posted: 16/10/2009

The debate about whether George House Trust should change its long-standing policy of not taking funding from drug companies ended with a very clear vote against this, from the Annual General Meeting last night. 85% of the voters at the Annual General Meeting rejected the proposal to consider accepting funding from the major drug companies.

There was a clear feeling that we should keep our moral stance and retain our principled opposition, so we are seen to be clearly independent of drug companies in our advice, information and other work. 

George House Trust will write a clear policy on refusing drug company funding and how this fits with our core values, and promote this in our publicity and to potential funders.

Elections and Accounts

Annual General Meetings are about elections and accounts too - so the accounts were accepted and the re-appointment of auditors was approved, and trustees were elected to serve on the board.

We would like to give our appreciation and thanks to Trustees who have stood down from the board: Jonathan Atkin, Agnes Kuzoraunye, Mervis Makhaza. 

Trustees for 2009-10

Reappointed, are trustees:

• Steven Ainscow
• Gerwyn Knight
• Deborah Mgijima
• Stewart Murau

New trustees:

• Paul Fairweather
• David Teasdale
• Jonathan Watts

Trustee Officers 

• Chair - Jim Vann,
• Treasurer - Colin Davies,
• Vice Chair - Damian Kelly

We have advertised for two external trustees and the outcome of this process will be announced at a later date.

Image credit from The Rag Blog

Wanted - External Trustees

posted: 28/09/2009

George House Trust works alongside 2,500 men, women, and children living with or affected by HIV. We provide a range of innovative services to people living with HIV across the North West of England. In 2010 we will be celebrating our 25th Anniversary.

Two Trustees please

George House Trust seeks two skilled Trustees to join our existing Management Committee. We are looking for people with Human Resources, PR and Marketing Skills.

Our Management Committee is elected from our membership, and consists entirely of either service users or active volunteers from our organisation. We believe this is vital to ensure that the needs of people living with HIV remain at the heart of the organisation.

Our Trustees have identified that we need to co-opt 2 people who are not members of George House Trust onto the Management Committee to broaden the skill base and bring additional perspectives. We want two motivated and committed individuals, with a clear evidence of skills in either:

• Human Resources, or
• Marketing / PR

We welcome applications from successful individuals working within the charity, statutory or commercial sectors. As a Trustee you will be directly involved in influencing the strategy of the organisation, ensuring effective governance, and supporting the senior management team.

We welcome applications from all sectors of society but particularly encourage applications from women and black and minority ethnic candidates so our Management Committee is diverse and representative.

This is a voluntary role, and requires a commitment of an average 4 hours a month. Please note this role will be subject to an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check. No specific knowledge of HIV is required as full training will be given to provide the successful candidates with the HIV knowledge you need.

To find out more information on both the organisation and the role of a Trustee, download the  application pack here in either Word or pdf

Closing date for applications - 5pm Friday 16th October 2009