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Terrence Higgins Trust: Walk the Ribbon
PrEP roll out in UK ) HIV/sexual health charity Terrence Higgins
HIV/sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) is hoping to inspire thousands across the UK to take part in their Walk the Ribbon Campaign
Trust (THT) and the Sussex Beacon have responded to the announcement from UK Government that £11.2million will be made available for local authorities to deliver PrEP via sexual health clinics with Brighton & Hove set to receive £229,839.
WAD is so important because it reminds the public and government that HIV has not gone away – it’s still vital that THT continue to raise money to help improve awareness and fight prejudice. Where your money will go
It’s why, this year, THT would love for you to join them this World Aids Day (WAD) on Tuesday, December 1 for the Walk the Ribbon sponsored walk.
• £5 could pay for 20 packs of condoms for THT outreach teams to give out, along with advice, support and education around HIV.
How far you want to walk and how much you want to raise is your choice. It doesn’t matter whether you walk around your local park, stroll along a canal or take a socially distanced hike up a hill, it’s up to you!
• £15 could cover the cost of a HIV self test kit. The sooner people know their status, the quicker they can get access to medication and support to live full and healthy lives.
You can do it by yourself, or as part of a virtual team with friends or work colleagues.
• £150 could provide training and development for one new speaker for the Positive Voices community project.
There are lots of ideas from a challenge walk, to a virtual walk and even ‘walk in your bubble’. Adapting the challenge to suit these pandemic times so that as many people as possible can still take part, feel safe and raise much needed funds to support THT in their work. Why is WAD still so important? WAD takes place on December 1 each year. It’s an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an Aids-related illness. Over 101,600 people are living with HIV here in the UK. Globally, that figure is about 36.7 million. Since HIV was identified in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV/Aids-related illnesses making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history. But each year in the UK over 4,300 people are diagnosed with HIV. Not everyone knows the facts about how to protect themselves and others. And for those living with HIV, stigma and discrimination remains widespread.
• £500 could fund 50 calls to THT Direct, a valuable lifeline that supports 20,000 vulnerable people each year. • £5,000 could pay for 210 online counselling sessions to support people living with or affected by HIV. This year, we haven’t all been able to be together in person, but THT hope that you will host a sponsored walk to support WAD and help the charity achieve a brighter future for those living with HIV.
DR MICHAEL BRADY
Head to the Walk the Ribbon page of their website: www.tht.org.uk/walktheribbon
D To get involved, visit: www.tht.org.uk/walktheribbon D For more info on THT, visit: www.tht.org.uk
Richard Angell, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at THT, said: “With three working days before the start of October – the delayed but finally promised launch of uncapped PrEP access in England – the Health Department has finally allocated funds to local government to start the roll out. There should now be nothing standing in the way of this important HIV transmission prevention drug finally becoming a reality in England. This follows years of painstaking battling and further delays due to Covid-19. “We now need to see PrEP made rapidly available right across the country – the wait has been too long. We know hard working local officials and many clinics put the wheels in motion for a start of October launch to make the most of this game-changer for HIV prevention – this allocation of funds should mean people are ready to go. More work is needed to ensure all groups affected by HIV know about PrEP and how to access it, but this is undoubtedly an important step forward as we work towards ending HIV transmissions in England by 2030.”
BILL PUDDICOMBE
) This year has been hard for everyone. It’s been especially hard for those living with HIV. The uncertainty many have felt is magnified for those already facing the daily challenges of living with a long-term condition.
RICHARD ANGELL
This crucial update, which will eclipse the PrEP ‘impact trial’ that has seen around 20,000 at-risk people access PrEP on the NHS, was delayed due to Covid-19 but THT expect – and are pushing for – rollout to begin in the autumn.
Dr Michael Brady, Medical Director at THT, said: "It's great to see PrEP starting to be made available on the NHS and congrats to those clinics who are already providing it. Different local commissioners are approving PrEP provision at different times so check with your local sexual health clinic about #PrEP availability." Bill Puddicombe, Chief Executive of the Sussex Beacon, said: "The availability of PrEP is an essential part of a public health response to HIV prevention. The Sussex Beacon welcomes the long-awaited roll out of PrEP in England. It will make a difference to so many people." D For more info on accessing PrEP, visit www.brightonsexualhealth.com D For more info on THT, visit: www.tht.org.uk D For more info on Sussex Beacon, visit: www.sussexbeacon.org.uk
