BHA For Equality Newsletter January – March 2026

National HIV Testing Week 2026 (NHTW)

• BHA for Equality participated in National HIV Testing Week 2026 as part of England’s HIV Action Plan to end new HIV cases by 2030.pdf). This was BHA’s most successful NHTW to date:
  • 115 HIV tests completed.
  • 80 first-time testers engaged.
  • 159 people reached via in-person community outreach.
  • 7,887 online engagements through digital and social media campaigns.pdf).
• Delivery was supported through partnerships with:
  • PaSH partnership.
  • HIV Prevention England (HPE) and the “I TEST” campaign, using social media, merchandise, and promotional resources.
• Campaign messaging focused on inclusive, empowering reasons for testing and featured diverse models to reach different communities.pdf).

New Click & Collect Rapid HIV Testing Service

• BHA launched a new Click & Collect Rapid HIV Test service during NHTW 2026.pdf).
• Key features of the service:
  • Free, quick, discreet access.
  • Tests ordered via QR code.
  • Collection available from BHA reception the next working day.
• The service supports:
  • Early diagnosis.
  • Access to treatment.
  • Prevention of onward transmission through achieving undetectable viral loads with daily medication.pdf).

Expanded Sexual Health Testing Offer

• BHA now offers home full-screen STI testing kits, enabling individuals to test from home for:
  • Chlamydia
  • Gonorrhea
  • Syphilis
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis C
  • HIV
• Testing can be ordered via QR code, improving accessibility and privacy.

Sexual Health Team Development Day

• Sexual health teams from Greater Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Wakefield, Coventry, and Warwickshire came together for a national team development day.pdf). Focus areas included:
  • Ending HIV by 2030.
  • Addressing stigma.
  • Neurodiversity and wellbeing.
  • Using lived experience to improve sexual health outcomes.
• The event aimed to strengthen collaboration and shared working practices across regions.

BBC News Feature on HIV Awareness

• During NHTW 2026, BHA’s sexual health team was featured on BBC News.pdf).
• The segment focused on:
  • Challenging myths that HIV only affects gay men.
  • Highlighting that many new diagnoses result from heterosexual sex.
  • Emphasising the simplicity of HIV testing and treatment.
  • Addressing stigma as the main barrier to people living full, normal lives with HIV.

Queer Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Session

• BHA delivered a community-led session for queer women focused on sexual and reproductive health.pdf).
• Topics included:
  • Sexual wellbeing and pleasure.
  • Relationships and health.
  • HIV and STI testing.
  • Reducing stigma and accessing support.
• The session aimed to create a safe space for open, honest discussion.

‘Living Well With Menopause’ Community Event

• In collaboration with Oldham Active, BHA organised a menopause-focused wellbeing event at Oldham Leisure Centre.pdf).
• The event aimed to empower women with knowledge and self-care skills.
• Eight workshops were delivered:
  • Menopause symptoms
  • GP advice
  • Holistic treatments
  • HRT
  • Mental health
  • Sleep management
  • Strength and mobility training
  • Trigger point therapy

Upcoming Events and Activities

• Living Well with Hepatitis B – Resource launch event, 22 April 2026.
• BASHH Conference 2026 – 27–29 April 2026, Liverpool (BHA showcasing work and resources).
• Women’s Empowerment Group – Launching May 2026 as part of the Commoning Ground project with The Whitworth.
• PrEP Awareness Week 2026 – 22–26 June 2026, promoting PrEP uptake across Greater Manchester.pdf).

Free Condom and Lube Delivery Service

• BHA continues to offer a completely free and discreet condom and lubricant delivery service, accessible via QR code.pdf).