The HIV Support Centre

London Gay Men’s Chorus chooses to support The Centre

gemma — Mon, 14 May 2012 21:04:31 +0000

The HIV Support Centre is delighted to announce that we have be chosen as the charity for the London Gay Men’s Chorus to support with proceeds from their concert on Sunday 20th May 2012 at The Grand Opera House in Belfast.

The concert is entitled A Band Of Brothers and starts on Sunday at 7.30pm.

The repertoire ranges from the exquisite harmonies of A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square and You Are My Sister (Antony and the Johnsons) to the roof-raising power of I’ve Got The Music In Me, Wagner’s Pilgrim’s Chorus and tracks by Madonna and Lady Gaga.

The HIV Support Centre supports everyone to live positively with HIV and campaigns to increase awareness to affect positive change for those affected by HIV. Some 7 people are diagnosed with HIV every month in Northern Ireland. The HIV Support Centre is the only dedicated organisation in Northern Ireland where all people living with and affected by HIV can access support and information.

Please come along to enjoy the wonderful music and support our charity.

For more information please contact The HIV Support Centre on (028) 9024 9268

Tickets for A Band of Brothers, priced £10 - £20, are available from Grand Opera House Box Office: (028) 9024 1919 or book online: www.goh.co.uk

Coffee Morning at The Centre- Come Along

gemma — Fri, 11 May 2012 10:49:01 +0000

We would like to invite you to The Centre for a Coffee Morning on Saturday 26th May at 10.30am-1pm. Join us for a tea / coffee or bring along your home-baked (or shop bought) goods to share & raise vital funds for The Centre. If you are a baker- or know of one – why not enter our fun Cupcake Bake-Off, a panel of expert judges will select winning entries for the best flavour, texture, design and an overall winner.

There will be plenty of baked goods and pastries on offer to help you refuel, relax and have a chat. So come along and bring friends and family.

Please support us in our mission to support people to live positively with HIV.

For more information contact Heather at The Centre (028) 9024 9268 or email heather@thehivsupportcentre.org.uk

Northern Ireland Anti Homophobia Week

gemma — Wed, 02 May 2012 13:50:32 +0000

To mark Northern Ireland Anti Homophobia Week (14th-20th May) and the International Day Against Homophobia (17th May), the Rainbow Project have organised an event at Belfast City Hall on Thursday 17th May from 10.30am to 1pm. The focus of the event will be the developments that have been made in the past 30 years since the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Northern Ireland. The event will also include testimonies from lesbian, gay and bisexual people.

If you are interested in attending the event R.S.V.P to harriet@rainbow-project.org

International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia

To also celebrate the week Rainbow are asking people to:

Wear purple, which symbolises spirit in the rainbow, in order to remember those who have lost their lives to homophobia.
Contact the Rainbow Project to get stickers to wear.
Take photos of yourself wearing purple or the stickers and send them to the Rainbow Project.
Change your twitter/facebook/blog background to a design available from the Rainbow Project’s website.

To find out about more events visit the Rainbow Project’s website- www.rainbow-project.org

Women’s Group- Laughter Workshop

gemma — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:26:18 +0000

Just a reminder that the bi-monthly women’s group is on tomorrow (Tuesday 1st May) from 10.30am-12 noon. Jacky Ingram will be hosting a laughter workshop.

Laughing is a natural way of releasing the stresses and strains of everyday life, it’s great fun and helps us to be more joyful, more effective, more productive, more creative and better communicators. Laughter will bring the group together and will be lots of fun!

Lunch will be provided and you will have a chance to chat with other group members.

Stand Tall, Get Snapped

gemma — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 08:14:30 +0000

HIV is a virus that can affect people from all different walks of life. Stereotypes and stigmas that are associated with HIV are not factually true and hints that only certain sections of society are affected by HIV. In order to dispel these myths, a project has been set up called “Stand Tall, Get Snapped” which will consist of an exhibit which will feature photographs of individuals who are HIV positive from different communities.

The project has been set up by Edo Zollo and he is looking for people that are willing to be photoraphed as part of the project. They are based in London but are happy to travel across the UK to get as many different stories as possible.

This project provides a worthwhile chance to show that HIV can affect people regardless of age, colour, gender or geographical location.

If you have any questions or are interested in becoming involved email- hivpozproject@hotmail.com

Follow the project on- https://twitter.com/#!/STGSProject

To find out more information about the project go to- http://standtallgetsnapped30hivpeople.tumblr.com

To find out more about Edo, the photographer, go to- http://edlondonphotography.co.uk

His girlfriend is HIV positive- should I tell him?

gemma — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:22:55 +0000

A woman recently wrote to the Mirror’s advice columnist, Coleen Nolan, about the fact that she knew her friend was HIV positive and her partner did not know. The woman wanted advice whether to tell her male friend that his partner was living with HIV. Coleen Nolan’s response was that she should tell him about his girlfriend’s status and that “her whole relationship is a lie and it was only a question of time before it blew up in her face”.

The girlfriend had also suffered a miscarriage and according to Ms Nolan, “she put her partner and unborn baby at great risk. Why would anyone do that?”.

In response to this we would like to say that the diagnosis of a person’s status is a personal matter and with the development HIV medication the woman is virtually safe from infecting her partner and any children they may have.

By responding in this manner, stigmas associated with HIV become intensified and the true facts about living with HIV fail to be highlighted. It is crucial that people are made aware that the disclosure of a person’s status is a chose that should only be made by the person themselves.

Gay blood ban

admin — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:13:41 +0000

The debate surrounding the ban on gay men donating blood has been brought to the public’s attention again after it was discussed at a conference organised by the National Union of Students and the Union of Students in Ireland.

Adrianne Peltz, president of NUS-USI, said that the ban “flies in the face of equality and fairness” and that shame is being brought upon the Northern Ireland Executive as the ban has been lifted in the rest of the UK.

We would call on the Minister for Health, Edwin Poots, to re-evaluate his position on the ban. A person’s sexuality is not a predetermining factor on the safety of blood. The ban also perpetuates the myth that only some sections of the community are at risk from HIV.

HIV tests in A+E pilot scheme

gemma — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 11:06:21 +0000

A London hospital has introduced a pilot scheme of providing HIV tests in it’s A+E Department. The aim of this pilot is to reduce the number of those who are unaware that they are living with HIV. The focus of the scheme will be on those aged 18-65. People will be offered a HIV test when they are undergoing routine blood tests.

We support the development of this pilot scheme and look forward to seeing the results as it would be a viable option to provide HIV testing in A+E, therefore providing more settings for people to get tested. Around 25% of people living with HIV are unaware that they are positive and there needs to be major public awareness campaigns to encourage more people to get tested.

For further information about testing services in Northern Ireland contact The Centre on 028 9024 9268.

HIV question at the Assembly

gemma — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 08:43:42 +0000

Conall McDevitt, pictured below, SDLP MLA for South Belfast and member of All Party Group on Sexual Health, asked the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety a question in the Assembly about support services that the Department provides for those living with HIV in Northern Ireland.

The Minister, Edwin Poots, responded by saying:

“The multidisciplinary team at the Regional Centre for HIV care and management based at the Royal Victoria Hospital offers a range of services including ongoing treatment, specialist support and advice, to support patients diagnosed with HIV in Northern Ireland. In addition, my Department has published a Strategy for the Development of Psychological Therapy Services, which recognises the increasing evidence of the benefits of psychological therapies for people who have chronic illnesses. A policy framework has also been developed which will support commissioners and providers in developing and improving services for adults living with long term conditions.

A range of support services including a telephone helpline, counselling, information services, home support, respite, social events and advocacy services are available through voluntary organisations funded by my Department.”

It is important that HIV is being discussed by politicians and that the services of The Centre are being acknowledged by the Minister to emphasise the important role played by voluntary sector organisations in helping those living with HIV.

For any further information about the support services provided by The HIV Support Centre contact us on 028 9024 9268.

HIV, stigma and discrimination

gemma — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 09:26:55 +0000

NAM have released a booklet for people living with HIV and provides information on stigma, discrimination, legal rights, dealing with an HIV diagnosis and telling people about your diagnosis.

The booklet also provides information on how to access services and it would be extremely useful to those who are newly diagnosed and need guidance on how to live positively with their diagnosis. You can find it from the link below.