This year is the 29th World Aids Day. Today, I am proud to stand with campaigners and local HIV organisations at the candlelit vigil. I am reminded of those who we have lost to Aids, including dear friends of mine. As in years gone by, we must mourn the dead and fight for the living.
Cllr Phélim Mac Cafferty
We support the Fast Track Initiative – which has a target of 90% of people living with HIV being aware of their status. However, I question how this will be achievable when there is a proposal to make a 20% cut to HIV and sexual health in Labour’s budget. Brighton and Hove already has the highest HIV prevalence outside of the capital and is often accompanied by ignorance and isolation, with knock on effects to mental health as well as discrimination. We will be asking for analysis of the impact of these cuts – but I fear the rise in HIV transmissions means cuts to the HIV budget will hit all the harder.
Here in Brighton and Hove, we must not turn back the clock on HIV.
Sincerely,
Cllr Phélim Mac Cafferty
Convenor of the Green Group of Councillors on Brighton & Hove City Council
There will be no tickets available on the door for this years World Aids Day Concert at St Mary’s Church, Kemptown which has now sold out.
This years concert is jointly organised by Actually Gay Men’s Chorus, Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus and Rainbow Chorus.
The concert will take place at St. Mary’s Church, Brighton at 7.30 pm (allowing time for those attending the Candlelight Vigil close by from 6pm-7pm at the AIDS Memorial on New Steine to arrive) and will feature performances by Actually Gay Men’s Chorus, Brighton Belles, Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus, Rainbow Chorus, Rebelles, Resound Male Voices and Qukulele.
Mince pies and mulled wine will be served during the interval.
All performers will be donating their time free of charge and all profits will be donated to local Brighton charity, Lunch Positive, the weekly lunch club for people who are HIV positive.
The Brighton and Hove World AIDS Day Community Partnership are organising the following events to mark World AIDS Day (WAD) on Thursday, December 1.
World AIDS Day Community Partnership Events:
Thursday December 1, 4pm – 7pm
New Steine Gardens Brighton AIDS Memorial Space
New Steine Gardens, Kemp Town, Brighton
Volunteers and staff from the Partnership will be at New Steine Gardens from 4pm, providing a safe and welcoming space for people to leave items or messages of hope or remembrance at the memorial. New names of those we have lost can be added to the vigil list between 4 and 5pm. Refreshments will also be available.
The World AIDS Day Partnership includes: Avert , BHCC Partnership Community Safety Team, Brighton GEMS, The Brighton & Hove, LGBT Safety Forum, Gscene, Lunch Positive, Peer Action, The Sussex Beacon, Sussex Ecumenical HIV Chaplaincy and THT South.
Thursday December 1, from 6 – 7pm Brighton AIDS Memorial Candlelit Vigil
New Steine Gardens, Kemp Town, Brighton
Everyone is welcome to attend the remembrance event for those we have lost to HIV/AIDS in Brighton and Hove. There will be a reading of the names and a candlelit vigil. Space will be available for anyone seeking quiet moments of reflection.
New names to be read (in addition to those read in previous years) can be emailed to susshivchap@gmail.com can be added to the list during today at the New Steine Gardens Memorial Space.
Last night, November 30 2016, 19 Westminster MPs helped to raise awareness about the importance of HIV testing, with eight taking an HIV test in Parliament.
(Left to right) Mike Freer, MP for Finchley and Golders Green and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on HIV/AIDS and Cristian Sandulescu, Patient Representative from the Bloomsbury Network at Mortimer Market Centre
The event, which was organised byCNWL and the Bloomsbury Network, in partnership with the All-Party Parliamentary Group on HIV/AIDS took place on the eve of World AIDS Day 2016 (December 1) and also marked the end of National HIV Testing Week.
A team of experts from CNWL’s Bloomsbury HIV Clinic, supported by staff from the Bloomsbury Network, a ground-breaking peer support organisation for people with HIV, both based at Mortimer Market Centre, offered on-site HIV testing, information and advice to MPs.
The team, which included a HIV consultant physician, two senior nurses, and a patient representative, used the latest testing technology, providing a result almost instantly to the eight MPs who tested.
Tulip Siddiq, MP for Hampstead and Kilburn, attended the HIV testing event in Parliament to show support for HIV testing
Although HIV is manageable and people with HIV can lead a healthy life with a near-normal life expectancy, late diagnosis of HIV remains an important public health issue in the UK.
Seventeen per cent of people with HIV in the UK (13,000) people are unaware of their status and therefore not getting the care they need. A person with untreated HIV is more likely to pass the virus on and more likely to become ill.
Encouraging people to test for HIV, and to access highly effective treatment if needed, remains more important than ever.
Mike Freer, MP for Finchley and Golders Green and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on HIV/AIDS, said:“Today’s testing event in Parliament was all about normalising HIV testing and showing how quick and easy it is. The stigma and fear around HIV needs to be a thing of the past. Eight MPs were tested for HIV this morning, hopefully that will inspire more of the public to do the same.”
Cristian Sandulescu, Patient Representative from the Bloomsbury Network at Mortimer Market Centre, added:“HIV testing is about looking after yourself and being responsible and this event helps show the way. HIV is a long-term manageable condition and the earlier the diagnosis, the better it is for the patient, so it’s important to get tested no matter who you are.”
HIV is a virus that can affect any sexually active person and children born to HIV positive women.
Dr Laura Waters, HIV Lead at CNWL, said:“The fear and stigma surrounding HIV is still a barrier to testing – by showing how quickly a result can be provided in non-traditional settings we hope to show just how simple testing is. Effective HIV treatment normalises life expectancy and almost eliminates the risk of passing the virus on but people with HIV cannot experience these benefits if they are undiagnosed.”
MPs who took an HIV test included:
Philip Boswell, MP for Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill
Mark Durkan, MP for Foyle
Neil Gray, MP for Airdrie and Shotts
Helen Hayes, MP for Dulwich and West Norwood
Caroline Nokes, MP for Romsey and Southampton North
Liz Saville Roberts, MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Cat Smith, MP for Lancaster and Fleetwood
Chris Stephens, MP for Glasgow South West
MPs who attended this event to show support for HIV testing included:
Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh, MP for Ochil and South Perthshire
Maria Eagle, MP for Garston and Halewood
Margaret Ferrier, MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West
Mike Freer, MP for Finchley and Golders Green
Patrick Grady, MP for Glasgow North
Andrew Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish
Margot James, MP for Stourbridge
George Kerevan, MP for East Lothian
Christina Rees, MP for Neath
Tulip Siddiq, MP for Hampstead and Kilburn
Iain Stewart, MP for Milton Keynes South
Helen Hayes, MP for Dulwich and West Norwood, took an HIV test in Parliament to help raise awareness about the importance of HIV testing
To book an appointment for HIV testing online at CNWL’s Mortimer Market Centre, click here:
To receive an HIV testing kits to use at home, click here:
An estimated 101,200 people are living with HIV in the UK, according to new figures released today, World AIDS Day (WAD) by Public Health England (PHE).
Of these more than 13,500 are living with an undiagnosed infection. PHE is working to reduce the number of people living with undiagnosed HIV by improving access to testing and is funding HIV home-sampling test kits.
It is critical that anyone who is at risk of HIV, such as those living in high prevalence areas or who have recently had sex with a new or casual partner, get tested because those diagnosed early can have a life expectancy almost matching that of people who are HIV free.
96% of people diagnosed with HIV are receiving treatment, which is good for their long-term health, but also means almost all (94%) on treatment will have undetectable virus levels and pose virtually no risk of passing the virus on to sexual partners.
Of the 6,095 people diagnosed with HIV in 2015, 39% were diagnosed at a late stage of the infection.
People who are undiagnosed or diagnosed late have poorer health outcomes and are more likely to die prematurely, they are also more likely to pass on the infection to others.
NICE – the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence – has published guidance to support increased uptake of HIV testing. For the first time, this guideline will be co-badged with Public Health England (PHE).
The guideline recommends HIV testing is offered in hospitals, A&Es and GP practices in areas of high HIV prevalence.
Dr Valerie Delpech
Dr Valerie Delpech, Head of HIV surveillance at Public Health England, said: “It is very worrying that so many people with HIV are living with an undiagnosed infection and may be putting sexual partners at risk.
“Regular HIV testing ensures that people who are unaware of their infection are quickly diagnosed and start receiving safe and effective treatment. There are now several effective ways to prevent HIV transmission. We are again working with local authorities to fund the HIV home-sampling test kit, so that those people who are less likely to visit their GP, sexual health clinic for a HIV test – can take the test at home. It is essential that health services are aware of the prevalence of HIV in their local area and the potential demand for HIV testing.
“Ultimately, it is important that people avoid the risk of developing HIV by wearing a condom and practicing safe sex.”
In 2015, 6,095 people (4,551 men and 1,537 women) were diagnosed with HIV in the UK, 54% (3,320) of who were gay and bisexual men.
The HIV epidemic still remains largely concentrated among gay/bisexual men and it is estimated that in 2015, 47,000 gay and bisexual men were living with HIV – 12 per cent of who were undiagnosed.
Anyone can acquire HIV regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexuality or religion.
Simon Dowe
Simon Dowe, Chief Executive at The Sussex Beacon, said:“To effectively tackle HIV locally we need to encourage more people in Sussex to get tested. Routine testing in high prevalence areas would be a great approach and may identify people who might otherwise ‘fall through the net’ and end up being diagnosed very late. In the meantime, if you think you might have been at risk please consider taking a test as soon as possible. Early detection and treatment means people can live long, healthy lives with HIV, but the first step is taking that test. There’s support available for anyone testing positive, so you won’t be facing it alone.”
Staff and volunteers from The Sussex Beacon will be at Brighton train station between 7am and 4pm this World AIDS Day (December 1), handing out red ribbons and raising vital funds for local people living with HIV.
Staff in the Sussex Beacon’s shops, on London Road and St James’s Street in Brighton will also be fundraising and raising awareness of HIV throughout the day.
In the evening, representatives from the charity will be attending the World AIDS Day vigil, taking place at the AIDS Memorial in New Steine Gardens and the World AIDS Day concert afterwards at St Mary’s Church.
Simon Dowe
Simon Dowe, Chief Executive of The Sussex Beacon, said:“World AIDS Day is primarily an opportunity to reflect on the past, remembering those who died with AIDS since the epidemic began. However, it’s also a time to look to the future, raising awareness by wearing red ribbons, tackling stigma and collecting vital funds for local HIV charities. Each year we’re bowled over by the generosity and good will of the people of Brighton on World AIDS Day, many of whom show their support by donating, attending events and wearing their red ribbons with pride.”
In the run up to World AIDS Day, The Sussex Beacon had the opportunity to fundraise at Brighton & Hove Albion football club. As one of the club’s charity partners, The Sussex Beacon collected donations at the home game on November 26, managing to raise £1790 in just a few hours.
World AIDS Day is held on December 1 each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died.
World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day and the first one was held in 1988. The red ribbon was the first awareness ribbon ever created, and is now used in a different colour by many other causes.
The Sussex Beacon provides specialist support and care to over 500 people living with HIV a year, offering both inpatient and outpatient services to improve health and promote independence. Those using the charity’s services may be facing serious HIV related illnesses, dealing with mental health issues or struggling to cope with the side effects of new drug regimes. Recently rated ‘outstanding’ by the independent health regulator, The Sussex Beacon provides first class care and support to those in need.
For more information about Sussex Beacon, click here:
Before The Dawn – The K Fellowship finds Kate Bush still King of the music mountain.
The release of any recorded material by Kate Bush has become such an event of mythical wonder that even when unnecessary re-workings of album tracks in the form of Directors Cut disappointed in 2011; fans and critics alike spoke positively of the collection with a respectful if slightly distant warmth. Bush has managed to sustain such a loyal support base from both fans and critics alike she can do no wrong, even when she perhaps might. Fortunate then that a good 99% of this latest live release is near perfection.
Before The Dawn is a full audio record of Bush’s now legendary 22 shows at The Hammersmith Apollo in Autumn 2014, with the addition of Never Be Mine (in its Director’s Cut reworking) apparently recorded in late rehearsals and then dropped from the set list at the eleventh hour: “the show would have been too too long” she recently explained in a BBC interview. Split into three acts, the first is a straight up gig running between some of her mammoth career staples, Hounds of Love, Running Up That Hill, King of the Mountain and some of her more anthemic album tracks from the later part of her career including a spectacular opener in Lily from The Red Shoes and again Director’s Cut. Concept albums The Ninth Wave from Hounds of Love, and A Sky of Honey; the second part of 2005’s double album Ariel make up the remainder and majority of what is on offer here.
On stage both these suites were directed by former RSC stalwart Adrian Noble and were as theatrical in performance as expected. The recordings here offer the perfect reminder of those live shows (the promised DVD is nowhere to be seen), and for those whose hours online to Ticketmaster were in vain, this collection is a worthy alternative to what might have been.
In short this is the kind of live album that littered the charts in the 70s, the decade that gave us the slightly more shrill Kate almost forty years ago, it stands up as a work on its own. The production is magnificent and the crowd suitably distant but at the centre of every track, a more mature and impeccable sounding Kate.
We can be in little doubt that Queen of the studio and perfectionist Madame Bush has spent the past two years trawling through the hours and hours of recordings, including her rehearsals, and what is offered here is the best of the best rather than one enchanted evening from the 2014 dates, and the spoken word segments which linked the theatrical elements of both The Ninth Wave and A Sky of Honey are a fraction clumsy out of context. These are the 1% irritations that will no doubt in time evaporate. Largely, with every listen the overwhelming response will be ‘Wow. Wow. Wow.
You must be logged in to post a comment.