Getting to know you… Laura Rose, Community Outreach Worker for axess sexual health, is passionate about educating young people about sexual health … plus she loves a good musical!
I am also really passionate about LGBTQ plus issues and felt that I would be able to make a difference in sexual health inequalities in this group. What’s your favourite thing about your job? I love being part of a creative, hardworking team. We all strive to make sexual health accessible for everyone and are all so passionate in what we do. I feel very lucky to be a part of this outreach team, as well as the wider axess service. What are the standout highlights or experiences during your time at LUHFT? A highlight for me was the World AIDS Day campaign in 2021. This is the biggest campaign I have been involved in, with landmarks lit up red, and it helped spread positive messages as well as remembering those who lost their fight to HIV/AIDS. I am particularly passionate about HIV and ending the stigma attached to it so having a campaign with such a wide platform was so important to me. What are your hobbies outside of work? My two young children take up a lot of my time, we go on lots of family walks and our favourite park is Allerton Towers. I am a massive musical theatre fan and I love travelling and reading. I am part of a book club that has been going strong for almost 10 years… and not just because of the wine! What’s your favourite restaurant or café? Mowgli. Especially the yogurt chat bombs! What’s your favourite film or song?
Briefly, what does your role involve? I work across Liverpool and Knowsley promoting our sexual health services, specifically to vulnerable and hard to reach groups in the community. We also aim to promote positive sexual health messages such as regular testing, consent and healthy relationships. I coordinate condom distribution schemes, lead on chlamydia screening, plus deliver education and training sessions. Did you always want to work in healthcare? I have always been interested in working in the community and have worked with a homeless project, alternative education and domestic violence support. I became interested in sexual health when working at an alternative education provider. I realised that education is vital to ensuring young people are aware of the risks involved in having unprotected sex and the importance of informed choices around sex and consent, particularly for vulnerable people.
My favourite film would probably be a musical, I’ve watched Hamilton a lot, but I don’t think that counts! My favourite song is Elbow, One Day Like This, it makes me smile every time I hear it. You win the lottery, what’s your dream holiday? Travelling around South America. I love the lively culture, especially the dancing! You’re stranded on an island, what three items would you want with you? Factor 50 sun cream as I burn so easily, a hammock and my husband as he is the most practical person I know. I’m sure that’s cheating but that’s what I’m going with! LUHFT Life | 15
