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MORE TO ME THAN HIV ) More To Me Than HIV, an online exhibition for World Aids Day 2020 on December 1, is inviting people living with HIV to share pics and some words to publicly combat stigma and show and celebrate how they are winning at life. Supported by Brighton & Hove Police and Brighton & Hove Library Service, the project hopes to show that people living with HIV aren’t just surviving but thriving. The organisers of More To Me Than HIV, say: “With the Covid-19 pandemic, parallels have been drawn between our current situation and the emergence of HIV in the 1980s. Fear, misinformation, blame seeking, judgement and stigma play a part in both epidemics. While the whole world looks for a cure for Covid-19, there is still no cure for HIV, some 30 years after it emerged. “The good news now for HIV is that it is treatable, though not curable; with early detection and effective treatment - living with HIV is no longer a death sentence. However, stigma is still experienced by many people living with HIV and can have serious negative effects on a person's wellbeing. The more people who can be visible and stand with us, the more we can support, and give courage to those who feel that stigma is preventing them from being visible.” D To get involved, email one self-portrait, two pics and three words that you would use to define yourself to info@moretomethanHIV.life All images will be posted on their website at the start of National HIV Testing Week at the end of November and for World Aids Day on December 1, 2020. It is hoped the printed exhibition will return to Brighton & Hove Libraries next year. D For more info, visit: http://moretomethanhiv.life/
‘I MADE THIS FOR YOU’ FREE TO WATCH FOR WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY ) I Made This For You, a searingly honest British feature film that tackles mental health, depression and suicide head on, is now available to watch for free on Youtube globally. The release marked World Suicide Prevention Day last month and will be showing on the platform for a month until World Mental Health Day on Saturday, October 10. I Made This For You follows a man, played by Gary Grant (Enemy Lines), who cuts himself off from his friends and family and has recently attempted suicide. He is pulled back from the edge by a documentary made about his life by a friend, played by director Cristian Solimeno (Guilt, Rush, Footballers’ Wives). His friends also include Alison Newman (EastEnders, Footballers’ Wives), Dermot Murphy (Animals, The Drummer and The Keeper), Francis Magee (Star Wars: Rogue One, Game of Thrones) and West End star Siobhan Dillon (Cabaret, Grease, Sunset Boulevard, Miss Saigon). The film within a film mixes reality with fiction in a unique and groundbreaking way. Despite the seriousness of the subject, what results is something funny, beautiful and deeply cathartic that provokes action and conversation. Following the film, director Cristian Solimeno also created the #IMadeThisForYou social campaign, which invites people to take a moment out from their lives to try to make something for someone who is going through a hard time and share these acts of kindness for the week of World Suicide Prevention Day. The aim is to create an explosion of love, kindness and creativity that empowers people to reach out and gives us the confidence to actually try. It can be a cake, a card, a jumper or a song. The point is to make things with other people in mind and to give these things away to show you care. Random acts of kindness count and can make a real difference. D Watch I Made This For You for free by visiting www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWLhoUr2vCM
THT FREE HIV AWARENESS TRAINING COURSES ) HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) is running another free online HIV Awareness training course in September/October over Zoom. Anyone wanting to take part will need to complete the first three compulsory two-hour modules that make up the normal one-day HIV Awareness training. They are then welcome to add one or both additional modules that focus on specific issues around HIV & Ageing or HIV & Black Communities. Those who have already attended the HIV Awareness training, either online or in person, can book to do the extra modules. The training is free and will be delivered interactively via Zoom. THT stresses the importance of participants being able to attend all the modules in the correct order to ensure all the information is received. Module 1 (Introduction to HIV), Wed, Oct 7, 11am–1pm • Current Snapshot of HIV in the UK & Worldwide • Definitions of HIV & Terminology • HIV Transmission Module 2 (HIV Treatment & Prevention), Wed, Oct 14, 11am–1pm • HIV Prevention Methods • HIV Treatment Overview
Module 3 (HIV Stigma & Discrimination), Wed, Oct 21, 11am–1pm • Impact of HIV Stigma & Discrimination • Personal experiences from someone living with HIV • Case Studies Optional Extra Module (HIV & Ageing), Wed, Oct 28, 11am–1pm • Specific considerations around Ageing & HIV • The impact of diagnosis before medication • Personal experiences of over 50s living with HIV Optional Extra Module (HIV & Black Communities), Wed, Nov 4, 11am–1pm • Differences within black communities from sexual health and HIV perspective • Insight into ways in which black communities are affected by HIV and sexual health • Why healthcare disparities exist and impact of stigma in black communities To sign up to online courses, email brightontraining@tht.org.uk and let them know if you would like to attend any of the optional extra modules. If you’re interested in a bespoke online training for your staff team, send them an email to discuss. D For more info on THT, visit: www.tht.org.uk
NEW WORK AND WELLBEING ONLINE SESSIONS WITH THT
) HIV/sexual health charity THT is hosting a series of online workshops from Wednesday, October 7 that will focus on supporting people living with HIV who are concerned about job security, redundancy or unemployment .
• October 14: Losing My Job: Looking after and understanding my emotions • October 21: Job Search: Identifying my strengths and values • October 28: Facing the Fear: Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable • November 4: Job Search: Defining my goals and aspirations • November 11: Job Search: Looking for work or development opportunities • November 18: Healthy home working habits in the digital workplace
Sessions take place on Zoom every Wednesday, 6–7.30pm: • October 7: Losing My Job: Taking stock and practical next steps
D To register for any or all of the seven sessions on offer, visit: www.tht.org.uk/our-services/athome/living-well/employment-skills
