Describe what you do day to day?
I’m responsible for the PASH Partnership (Passionate about Sexual Health) a collaboration between BHA for Equality, LGBT Foundation, and George House Trust. At BHA, we offer free and confidential sexual health services, such as HIV/STI screening, free condoms, and information and advice to Black, Asian, and minority communities living in Greater Manchester. I manage a team of three Sexual Health Advisors, (SHA& HIV Testing Lead, SHA& Engagement Lead, and SHA& Inclusion Lead) and two Community Engagement & Development workers. Part of my work is also the collaboration and cooperation with different partners, organizations, and networks.
Fulfilling aspect of the role: We are making a difference by providing sexual health services in the community to Black, Asian, and minority ethnic individuals who may otherwise not have access to it. As we provide HIV and STI screening to people, information, and advice using different engagement approaches, between face-to-face and online interventions, we are contributing to improving the health of vulnerable groups.
Greatest achievements?
We have been able to create spaces of trust, through 121 interventions and group sessions, where we encourage people to think about their sexual health and get regular HIV/STI screening. These spaces offer an opportunity to normalize conversations about sexual health and reduce the stigma associated with it. The stigma can be down to culture, tradition, misinformation, or phobia of being exposed. Having open conversations breaks the barriers that lead to sexual health inequalities.
Challenges?
We cover the whole of Greater Manchester and there is a great deal of demand for our services.
Type of things coming up?
We are doing a PrEP Awareness campaign and joining the Sexual Health Week campaign and we are inviting influencers in our community to talk about sexual health and share the message of PrEP, a pill that can prevent HIV.