National HIV Testing Week and

World AIDS Day

2019 Campaign Pack

WORLD AIDS DAY (WAD) Sunday 1st December World AIDS Day is on 1 December each year. It’s an opportunity globally to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. There are 101,600 people living with HIV in the UK. Living with HIV can bring with it significant discrimination and stigma. This impacts on poverty, mental health and wellbeing and can lead to people living with HIV feeling isolated. NATIONAL HIV TESTING WEEK (NHIVTW) week commencing Saturday 16th November NHIVTW raises awareness of the importance of HIV testing, as well as increasing opportunities to test – be it in clinical, primary care or community-based rapid testing. GET INVOLVED

Learn the facts and bust the related myths Reduce stigma surrounding HIV Empower people to talk about HIV Increase knowledge that those on effective HIV treatment can’t pass on HIV Encourage the public to ‘know their HIV status’ Promote local HIV support and testing services Promote U=U undetectable equals untransmittable

SUPPORT WAD and NHIVTW

Everything you do, whether it’s holding a cake sale, wearing red, or collecting money in return for red ribbons, makes a difference. By wearing a ribbon, you’re showing your support for and solidarity with people who are living with HIV – and by raising vital funds for Sahir House you’re helping to fund the work they do to end new transmissions, end stigma and ensure people living with HIV receive the support needed to live happy, healthy lives.

Sahir House, 2nd Floor, 151 Dale Street, Liverpool L2 2AH 0151 237 3989

www.sahir.org.uk info@sahir.uk.com

twitter: @sahirhouse facebook: sahir house Instagram: Sahir House

WHAT YOU CAN DO THIS WORLD AIDS DAY Rock the Red Ribbon – click here to see what can you do with your Red Ribbon this

World AIDS Day Red ribbons can be sold or shared out, supported by information about its meaning is and why people wear it. Sahir House have some supplies of red ribbons, however, if requiring larger amounts visit National AIDS Trust online shop

HIV awareness in schools – Teacher resource packs can be found here Create an information display – An information display or stall can be an excellent

way of raising awareness and engaging with students, colleagues, service users and educators alike. Sahir House have some limited resources, free resources are also available here

Hold a fundraiser for Sahir House. Request a collection tin and ask your company to match-fund any monies raised

Know the FACTS - Invite Sahir House or The Armistead Centre to deliver HIV awareness in your work place, school or college info@sahir.uk.com

World AIDS Day features in publications, plasma screens, bulletins, etc to increase understanding the impact of HIV

Get tested and know your status and promote National HIV Testing Week 16th November. For all local HIV testing sites go to Sahir House National HIV Testing Week page or phone 0151 237 3990

Be a #HIVChampion and show your support on social media Attend the Sahir House World AIDS Day Vigil Sunday December 1st

ground floor, Cunard Building, Pier Head, Water Street, Liverpool. UK AIDS Memorial Quilt panels display from 2.30pm, Vigil commences 3.30pm – 4.30pm. This is a FREE event, open to the public

GET THE MESSAGE OUT THERE National HIV Testing Week - Saturday 16th November 2019 In the UK, the combination prevention approach to HIV has led to a substantial decline in HIV diagnoses for the first time. However, the work must not stop here. There was a small increase in late diagnoses between 2015 (39%) and 2017 (43%), which means testing is still as important as ever. Merseyside’s World AIDS Day planning group are looking for people who will champion HIV testing during the national campaign. Why not film a short 10 – 20 second clip which can be on your phone and then tweeted during National HIV Testing Week. This will:

Champion HIV testing Champion awareness raising Champion HIV activism

#HIVChampions #WADMerseyside

@sahirhouse #HIVTestWeek

For more information about how to be #HIVChampions contact Serena Cavanagh at Sahir House info@sahir.uk.com

World AIDS Day – Sunday 1st December Rocking The Red Ribbon on social media? Post us your pics and don’t’ forget to include #ROCKTHERIBBON @sahirhouse #WADMerseyside

GET POSTING AND TWEETING Get ready! Below are example posts to support National HIV Testing Week and can used before the 16th November:

National HIV Testing Week kicks off on Saturday 16th November! But you don’t have to wait until then to test for HIV, it’s free & confidential. Click this link to find out where to test locally & see list of HIV testing clinics on Merseyside @sahirhouse

National HIV Testing Week starts Saturday 16th November & there’s no better time to know your status & get tested. It’s estimated that around 1 in 12 people living with HIV don’t know they have the virus. Which means they’re not accessing available support or treatment needed to look after their health & prevent HIV being passed on to partners. Get tested today! Find out where here

National HIV Testing Week kicks off on Saturday 16th November & there’s no better time to get tested & know your status. @sahirhouse For where, when & how visit Sahir House website #HIVTestWeek @sahirhouse

U=U undetectable equals Untransmittable, know your status #HIVTestWeek @sahirhouse

Send now! Below are example posts to support national HIV testing week and can be sent out from Saturday 16th November:

National HIV Testing Week is here! That means it’s time to get tested & know your status. Whatever you do this week, find out the stress free way for you to test, check if there’s a testing clinic near you here #HIVTestWeek @sahirhouse

National HIV Testing Week is here! Make sure you get tested – a finger prick test is all it takes. There’s support available & free treatment to keep you well. Get tested today, find out where on Merseyside here #HIVTestWeek @sahirhouse

Knowing your HIV status can help you access vital treatment to keep you well & stop the infection being passed on to others. Testing is free, quick & confidential. Get tested today #HIVTestWeek @sahirhouse

There are loads of different ways & places to test for HIV, all of which are free, quick & confidential. If you are diagnosed, there’s support available & free treatment to keep you well. Get tested today & know your status @sahirhouse

LIGHT THE TOWN RED Some of Merseyside’s best-known landmarks are set to be bathed in red light over the weekend of 30th November and 1st December to mark World AIDS Day. By lighting the city and surrounding boroughs red we are joining together to raise awareness. Red symbolising the Red Ribbon, a symbol of compassion and support for people living with HIV. We are sending out a positive message that as a community we can challenge and remove the stigma that still surrounds HIV and acknowledge the progress around treatment and prevention.

St Georges Hall Liverpool Town Hall Cunard Building Do you know a building waiting to be lit red for the weekend of World AIDS Day? Then contact Serena Cavanagh for more details.

Knowsley Light Wall MEASURE THE IMPACT If you are holding an event for World AIDS Day and National HIV Testing Week, we would love to hear the impact. Feel free to use the questions below to gather participant’s views and thoughts before and after an event or activity:

Rate your understanding of HIV? 1 – poor 2 – OK 3 – good

Do you know where to get a HIV test? Yes no not sure

Would you consider having a HIV test?

Yes no possibly

Rate how confident you are to challenge HIV stigma? 1 – not confident, 2 – OK, 3 – very confident

Send in your results to info@sahir.uk.com

HIV - THE FACTS HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that, if left untreated, attacks the immune system.

AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is a collection of conditions which occur when HIV is untreated and the immune system weakens and it can no longer fight off infection, tumours and illnesses.

Thankfully, if diagnosed nowadays, people with HIV who respond well to treatment can have a near normal life span. New transmissions are easily preventable.

Globally, there are an estimated 36.7 million people living with HIV. More than 35 million people have died of HIV, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.

Many people still don’t know the facts about how to protect themselves and stigma and discrimination remain a reality for people living with the condition.

Increased and regular HIV testing, treatment for those diagnosed with HIV, continued high rates of condom use, and the HIV prevention pill PrEP have contributed to a 28% drop in new HIV diagnoses in the UK from 2015 to 2018. LIVING WITH HIV AND U=U (Undetectable equals Untransmittable) Sadly, stigma and discrimination can be a daily issue for people living with HIV. A recent survey by NAT highlighted:

13 % report avoiding visiting the GP because they feared being treated differently 21 % of gay men living with HIV report they have been discriminated against in work. 18 % of those surveyed report they’d had suicidal thoughts in the past year. 17% of people living with HIV report ‘often’ skimping on food because of poverty. 15% said they’ve fallen behind with the bills

Advances in medicine mean that people on effective HIV treatment will reduce risk of complex health issues and onward infection.

The global U=U campaign, Undetectable equals Untransmittable, states that people with a timely diagnosis, on effective treatment and maintaining an undetectable viral load will not pass on HIV to their sexual partners. Evidence highlights most new infections are by those undiagnosed, get the facts, know your status!

People living with HIV are protected by the Equality Act 2010 as HIV is classed as a disability from point of diagnosis.

LIVERPOOL FAST-TRACK CITY INNITIATIVE On World AIDS Day 2018, Mayor Anderson announced Liverpool was to become part of the Fast-Track Cities Initiative, joining London, Manchester and Brighton and 250 other cities around the world, to eradicate AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

In Liverpool, there are currently 650 people diagnosed with HIV, a level comparable with other big cities. However, it is estimated there are up to 115 people that are infected but unaware. Over half of people living with HIV in Liverpool are diagnosed late, meaning if they don’t start treatment as early as possible, it could lead to health complications and becoming unnecessarily ill. By signing up to the Fast-Track Cities Initiative, the city has committed to:

Ensuring at least 90% of people living with HIV (PLHIV) know their status; At least 90% of those PLHIV are on effective treatment; At least 90% of PLHIV on effective treatment have an undetectable viral load thus

reducing the likelihood of transmission; Reduce the negative impact of stigma and discrimination.

RED RIBBON The red ribbon represents HIV awareness and education; supporting those living with HIV and to remember those who have died of a HIV related illness.

World AIDS Day reminds the public and government that HIV has not gone away, there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.

Wear your red ribbon with pride!

SEXUAL HEALTH CLINICS IN MERSEYSIDE Sexual Health Wirral 0300 123 5474 Liverpool Centre for Sexual Health 0151 706 2620 Abacus Sexual Health Clinics, Liverpool 0151 247 6500 St Helens Sexual Health clinics 0174 464 6473 Sexual Health Knowsley 0151 244 3580 Sexual Health Halton 0192 875 3217 Sefton Sexual Health Service 01704 513303 Brook Liverpool 0151 207 4000 Brook Wirral ` 0151 123 5474 HIV SUPPORT IN MERSEYSIDE Sahir House 0151 237 3989 Liverpool HIV Specialist Community Nurses 0151 295 8650 The Armistead Centre 0151 247 6560