Document Information
| Key Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | BHA Sexual Health Team Newsletter |
| Date | May 2023 |
| Organization | BHA (Black Health Agency) |
| Audience | Community members, healthcare providers, partner organizations |
| Focus | Sexual health, HIV prevention, STI testing, community engagement |
| Contact | Email contact |
| Website | thebha.org.uk |
Community Ambassador Initiative
- Launched during National HIV Testing week 2023
- Recruited three community ambassadors to organize events
- Successful events held at MMU (with BAME society), Manchester Central Library, and Love Community Cafe in Salford
- Looking to expand the list of community ambassadors for future campaigns
Free Condom Program
- Offering 10 different types of condoms available for free
- Can arrange regular condom delivery for community groups across Greater Manchester
- Mission to make condoms as accessible as possible
Free Resources
- Growing bank of free resources available online, for download, or bulk ordering
- Resources include guides to contraception, STIs, and PrEP information
- Contraception guide available in multiple languages: French, Arabic, Hungarian, Romanian, and Ukrainian
HIV and STI Testing Services
- Free bookable HIV and STI testing available weekly in Trafford and Manchester
- Monthly testing in Salford, Bolton, Rochdale, and Wigan
- Appointments not limited to 10 minutes, providing extra support when needed
- HIV test involves a finger prick with results in 1 minute
- Full STI screen results available via text or email within 2 weeks
Healthcare Professional Training
- Working with mainstream health services, public health specialists, doctors, and nurses
- Delivering HIV training to doctors in partnership with PaSH partners, LGBT Foundation, and George House Trust
- Training focuses on PrEP, referral pathways, and early HIV diagnosis
- Helping doctors understand fear and stigma around HIV in racialized communities
Addressing Health Inequalities
- Data shows disproportionately higher rates of STI diagnoses in Black Caribbean communities
- Published community research report with recommendations for clinicians and public health officials
- Conducted community focus groups to understand nuances behind statistics
- Working with service funders and designers to implement changes
SEXATION Project
- Launched in April 2023, following the 2022 project addressing STI inequalities
- Aims to bring sexual health and creatives together to enable deeper conversations
- First workshop held in collaboration with womb healer and dance embodiment facilitator Latrice Gray
- Future workshops planned with poets, PTs, barbers, and a sound bath facilitator
PrEP Access Initiative
- Addressing inequities in PrEP access and low uptake in Black communities
- Working to understand barriers to PrEP access through focus groups
- Established a community panel with people of Black, Asian, and Minoritized Ethnic heritages
- Providing feedback to service funders and the wider HIV action sector
Community Outreach
- Conducting outreach at festivals and events across Greater Manchester
- Delivering group sessions on various topics including:
- Navigating the health system as a non-English language speaker
- Safe sex, menopause, pleasure, body positivity
- Relationships, consent, talking to children about sexual health
Links
File Type:
pdf
File Size:
2 MB
Categories:
GM PaSH
