News: 02/2023 | George House Trust

Manchester Pride Intern 2023

 

We're recruiting for our Manchester Pride 2023 Intern with the University of Manchester! 

 

We asked Eve, our Manchester Pride 2022 intern, about her experience...

 

"My Student Experience Internship at George House Trust has undoubtedly been the highlight of my time at the University of Manchester."

 

I gained experience and solid examples of work in an industry I’d never been involved in before, and probably would not have had a chance to learn about if not for this internship.

 

If you think you might be interested in marketing and events planning, I cannot recommend this job enough. You need to think on your feet and come up with fun and creative ideas. Whatever you put in, George House Trust will give you back tenfold, and I personally found this an amazing way to learn.

 

This is a real stand-out example of work experience and the breadth of the job gives you so many great stories to use in later interviews, particularly to show employers your values and character – this is not just a rainbow parade, it is a platform for people living with HIV to feel valued and celebrated in the community.

 

If you’re not familiar with George House Trust (I wasn’t!) ask around, and you will see how respected their name is and how valuable the support they offer is to people who need it.

 

For me, highlights of the internship were creating a social media campaign for George House Trust’s presence at Pride, working with external graphic designers to do so; content creation to raise awareness of HIV; and, of course, the Pride Parade itself.

 

I was fortunate enough to work with amazing drag artists and DJs from Manchester to put on a fantastic show, and it was evident how much this meant to George House Trust’s service users."

 

"If you want an internship that’s more than filling out spreadsheets, will give you a taste of marketing and event planning, and, most importantly, is hugely fulfilling and really matters, this is the job for you."

 

Eve Morrison, February 15th 2023

Wednesday, 15 February, 2023

Decline In Brain Function Is Linked To Other Medical Conditions Rather Than Ageing With HIV

 

A recent NAM article reported that the decrease in brain function seen in a 12-year study of people with HIV was worse than would be expected for typical ageing. This decrease was linked to diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic lung disease, depression, nerve pain and cannabis use. HIV itself did not appear to worsen brain function, nor was there a significant difference in brain function decline between different age groups.

 

Overall, 1597 people living with HIV were interviewed for this prospective study at six different US medical centres, between 2003-2007. Those with active opportunistic infections, major substance use problems or severe mental health issues were excluded, as this would have prevented them from undergoing a full day assessment. An average of 12.4 years later, 402 people were interviewed again to compare their brain function, medical conditions and medications after this time. Seven different types of tasks controlled by the brain such as memory and language, were tested in a 2-3 hour long interview to measure brain function. Bloods tests, medical examination, urine samples and spinal fluid samples were also completed at both appointments. Frailty assessments were only conducted at the second visit.

 

You can read the full article here.

Monday, 6 February, 2023

Not Counted: Clinical Trials Of New HIV Treatments Are Failing Women

 

A recent article reported that The low representation of women in clinical trials has led to some efficacy and safety differences between men and women being missed, reports Dr Shuang Zhou of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). African-American women were particularly underrepresented in clinical trials of new antiretrovirals.

 

Women make up the majority of people with HIV globally, but there is a chronic underrepresentation of cisgender women in antiretroviral clinical trials. This lack of representation results in sex-based differences being unknown. Some side effects, such as weight gain and rashes, have been reported more frequently by female patients.

 

You can read the full article here.

Friday, 3 February, 2023

LGBT History Month - Andrew On The Fight For Fertility Equality For People Living With HIV

 

Andrew is in his 30s and has been living with HIV for 13 years. He wants to have a child with his husband by donating his sperm to a surrogate, but under current law is unable to do so. As part of LGBT History Month, Andrew has written a blog for National Aids Trust in which he discusses why the law needs to change to reflect the advances in medicine, so that those living with HIV can start a family. 

 

You can read the full article here.

 

February 1st 2023

Wednesday, 1 February, 2023

Living with HIV? Want to talk to us?
Call 0161 274 4499 or email: talk@ght.org.uk