• 17 March 2010 - St Patrick’s Day
• 2 April 2010 - Good Friday
• 5 April 2010 - Easter Monday
• 6 April 2010 - Easter Tuesday
• 3 May 2010 - early May bank holiday
• 31 May 2010 - Spring bank holiday

They are working with a skilled former BBC film-maker, Angus Malcolm, who is researching the film on behalf of AHPN and the target audience for the film will be African communities, health and social workers, and key policy makers in the UK.

The initial stage of this piece of work is for Angus to have a discussion with people on the phone about their particular experiences, especially as it relates to HIV-related stigma.

If you would be interested in helping with this, please send your contact number, name and suitable time of day for a telephone discussion with
Angus about this to AHPN’s Policy Officer, Edna Soomre by email:
edna.soomre@ahpn.org

The regional HIV Social Work team on behalf of the RVH 2Kare Trust invites everyone to buy a ticket for a concert

Celtic Nights… …African Sunrise

in the City Hall, Belfast on Saturday 17 April 2010 at 7.30 p.m.

The concert, preceded by a drinks reception from 7.0o p.m., will be in the fabulous surroudings of the Great Hall and will be an eclectic selection of music and reflect the diversity of the Celtic and African cultures.

All proceeds will be donated to HIV charities in Northern Ireland and the Leratong Hospice in South Africa.

Tickets priced at £25 are available from The HIV Support Centre on 028 9024 9268.

Articles include:

Monday drop in a fantastic success

Build a Bear: ‘we had a fantastic time’

Farewell to old friends

Access for all - it’s the law

UK results of the Living with HIV Stigma Index 2009

• 84% of people living with HIV are supported by other people living with HIV
• 60% are not sure if their medical records are being kept confidential
• 46% reported that their rights may have been abused in some way over the last year
• 45% of people living with HIV have challenged, confronted, or educated somone who was stigmatizing them.
• 31% have not had a consstructive conversation with a health care professional about their reproductive health, sexual relationships, drug-use, and emotional well-being.

Across the United Kingdom between May and September 2009, 869 people living with HIV were interviewed by their peers about experiences of living with HIV, accessing health and other services, experiences of stigma and discrimination, sources of support and living positively. We were part of that.
This important research will be used to influence policy makers at UK, European, and United Nations levels. Thank you to all who made it happen here.
Northern Ireland results will follow - watch this space.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Thank you to everyone who made the Christmas Dinner a fabulous success on Friday 11 December 2009. Those who came said that they had a wonderful time, and that the food and company was excellent.

Every week in Northern Ireland, approximately 2 people are diagnosed with HIV

Speaking in advance of the events, Jennifer Andrews, Director of the HIV Support Centre said:

In Northern Ireland we have a growing problem with the spread of HIV in our community. We have a younger generation who missed the ‘safer sex’ message of the 80s and 90s who – if they are aware of HIV at all – think it only exists in Africa and/or that it can be cured with a pill: if only that were true!

The reality of HIV is that for most the virus can be successfully managed with the improved medication that is now available, however it is a major change in lifestyle and together with the fear of prejudice, it can be difficult to accept being HIV positive. Why does this prejudice exist? Because people are naturally frightened of what they don’t understand.

The message is clear: if in doubt, get checked out immediately. Putting it off because of embarrassment could put your health or even your life at risk.

Held on 1 December every year, World AIDS Day (WAD) is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV. WAD is about increasing awareness, fighting prejudice and improving education.

AIDS is a global emergency that affects every country and every city in the world. Right now there are 33 million people living with HIV – 80,000 of those people are in the UK and a quarter of them don’t yet know they are infected.

700 people have been diagnosed in Northern Ireland,
the numbers are rising now
2 people every week find out they have been infected by HIV

Stopping the Spread of HIV in Northern Ireland

This year Armagh City and District, Belfast City and Derry City Councils have joined forces with the HIV Support Centre to help increase awareness of the need for education and understanding of HIV in Northern Ireland.

In Armagh, Springboard Youth Group will share their learning and understanding of HIV both in Northern Ireland and internationally. The teenagers intend to go back to their communities to continue to inform young people in their areas of what they need to know about HIV and why they should care.

Other awareness events are taking place in Belfast City and Derry City, sponsored by both Councils, targeting social and community groups to recognise the need for awareness and education throughout Northern Ireland.

The red ribbon is an international symbol of AIDS awareness that is worn by people all year round and particularly around World AIDS Day to demonstrate care and concern about HIV and AIDS, and to remind others of the need for their support and commitment.

Supported by Armagh City and District Council and the Southern Education and Library Board, a group of 14-16 year olds from the Spring Youth Project will present their learning and understanding of HIV having attended training provided by The HIV Support Centre.

World Aids Day Ribbon

Held on December 1st each year, World AIDS Day is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV. World AIDS Day is about increasing awareness, fighting prejudice and improving education.

The red ribbon is an international symbol of AIDS awareness that is worn by people all year round and particularly around World AIDS Day to demonstrate care and concern about HIV and AIDS, and to remind others of the need for their support and commitment.

AIDS is a global emergency that affects every country and every city in the world. Right now there are 33 million people living with HIV – 80,000 of those people are in the UK.

Every week in Northern Ireland approximately
2 people are diagnosed with HIV.

The HIV Support Centre celebrates World AIDS Day on Tuesday 1st December 2009 at The City Hotel, Derry.

In conjunction with Derry City Council and The Rainbow Project (Derry), the HIV Support Centre is running an event in the City Hotel, with attendees from different sectors of Northern Ireland life, including sports, churches, health, education, and local government to raise their awareness of HIV and the impact it has on their services.

World Aids Day Ribbon

Held on December 1st each year, World AIDS Day is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV. World AIDS Day is about increasing awareness, fighting prejudice and improving education.

The red ribbon is an international symbol of AIDS awareness that is worn by people all year round and particularly around World AIDS Day to demonstrate care and concern about HIV and AIDS, and to remind others of the need for their support and commitment.

AIDS is a global emergency that affects every country and every city in the world. Right now there are 33 million people living with HIV – 80,000 of those people are in the UK.

Every week in Northern Ireland approximately
2 people are diagnosed with HIV.