Paul Fairweather has been awarded an MBE in the King’s New Year Honours List 2023

George House Trust co-founder and LGBT activist, Paul Fairweather, has been awarded an MBE for services to people with disabilities and the LGBT community in the North West in the King’s New Year Honours List 2023.

Paul, who is a renowned HIV activist, LGBT rights champion and ambassador for equality, has been awarded the MBE for his life’s commitment towards promoting inclusion, advocating for equality and challenging hate. His colleagues and friends at George House Trust are all so pleased that his work’s been recognised in this way.

In the early 1980s Paul was at the forefront of the community response to the growing HIV pandemic among gay men in Manchester and across the North West, organising meetings, writing articles in the gay press and lobbying for much-needed support services for people diagnosed with HIV. His work was entirely voluntary and motivated by the experiences of many of his friends and the wider LGBTQ+ community who, as many lives were already being lost, were fearful and in need of information and advice.   

Paul continues to be involved with George House Trust as the Positive Speakers project lead, supporting people living with HIV to use their voice, tell their story and to tackle the HIV stigma that still exists. He works with many people who’ve experienced the sharp end of HIV stigma and supports them to realise their potential to change people’s hearts and minds, unleashing their power of their own story telling to help them grow and lead their own activism.

On being awarded the honour, Paul said:

“My gay activism began in 1974 and my HIV activism in 1984. Today, I am still an activist and I see this MBE as recognition of the work that not only I, but thousands of others, have done to help create a very different world. A world where living with HIV holds no one back. A world where prejudice and discrimination are challenged. A world where disabled people and LGBT people have far greater equality.”

Our Chief Executive, Darren Knight is delighted that Paul's work has been recognised and he said:

“I’ve known Paul for many years through his work to promote LGBTQ+ inclusion and tackle HIV stigma in all its guises in Manchester, across the North West and beyond. Working alongside Paul, I’m inspired by his determination to do all he can to make things better for others. I don’t use these words lightly, but he’s an absolute legend. He inspires me in my work every day – he has done since I started working in the LGBTQ+ and HIV sector 17 years ago. His MBE is more than deserved.”

Everyone at George House Trust recognises the value and impact of people using their voice to inspire others. If you're living with HIV or an ally and want to get involved in our work, have a look at the volunteer space on the website to see how you can get involved. https://ght.org.uk/volunteer

Celebrate everything that’s incredible about Manchester and join our 2023 Great Manchester Run team!

Join our team in this year's must-do event. Starting and finishing in the heart of the city, soak up the amazing Manchester spirit the whole way round as the route passes iconic landmarks including Old Trafford, Etihad and the Imperial War Museum.

It’s a run for everyone, from locals to celebrated athletes, whether it’s your first 10k or your 50th. Starting and finishing in the heart of the city, soak up the amazing Manchester spirit the whole way round as the route passes iconic landmarks including Old Trafford, Etihad and the Imperial War Museum.

When: 21 May 2023

How far: 10K 

Registration Fee: £30

How much do I need to raise:  £500 

We will send you a running vest, training plans and fundraising tips and tricks. We'll have a cheer point on the day too so 

We'll support you every step of the way to reach your sponsorship target. 

Up for it? Secure your 10K place for just £30.

Mpox - Final Vaccination Dates Announced

The most recent Mpox (formally named ‘Monkeypox’) outbreak started in summer 2022 with cases reported worldwide for a number of months. The outbreak mainly affected gay, bisexual and MSM (men who have sex with men).

The outbreak has largely been brought under control with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reporting just six new cases this year, three of which were returning travellers. This is because of the roll-out of an effective vaccine and initial behavioural changes amongst affected groups.

Due to this, the UKHSA plans to halt the vaccination programme but will continue to closely monitor the situation.

Vaccination remains the most effective way of protecting you and people around you from mpox

People at risk from mpox are eligible for two doses:

If you’ve not had your first dose, you must come forward for this by the 16th June.

If you need a second dose, you must come forward for this by the 31st July.

You can get a vaccine at your local sexual health/GUM clinic. If you live in Manchester, The Northern is doing a weekly vaccine clinic. You can book here. 

If you live in other Greater Manchester boroughs, you can find your local Mpox vaccine clinic here. 

The NHS also has an easy to use vaccine finder website that will tell you where you can get a vaccine locally to you.

The vaccine is safe, free and administered by a healthcare professional.

Information about Mpox

It’s important to note that Mpox is normally a mild illness and is unlikely to lead to further complications. Most people recover from in a few weeks. In the recent outbreak, 1 in 10 people need to be treated in hospital, this is usually to help manage pain. 

How does Mpox transmit?

• By close contact with someone who has symptoms, e.g. touching skin, sexual contact, kissing, hugging - this is especially after the ulcers have developed.  This is because the fluid in MPX blisters is highly infectious.
• Through droplets in the air - ​​​​​​ this usually involves extended time with someone in a room with poor ventilation.  For example, spending more than 3 to 6 hours, where you are within two meters.
• Touching clothing, bedding or towels used by someone with the Mpox rash.

The risk of catching Mpox is generally low. However, it is much higher for people who have multiple partners, or whose partners have these risks. There is a greater risk of catching Mpox from sexual partners and people you live with.

There is a greater risk of catching Mpox if you attend sex parties, sex on premises venues (e.g. a sauna), attend cruising grounds or have multiple individual sexual partners. 

What are the symptoms?

It can take 1 to 3 weeks for Mpox symptoms to develop. For most people, this is 10 to 12 days after contact.

Initial symptoms of Mpox include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion. Unexpected or unexplained spots, ulcers or blisters can develop, often beginning on the face, then spreading to other parts of the body including the genitals.

The spot, ulcer or blister changes over time and goes through different stages, and can look like chickenpox, herpes or syphilis, before finally forming a scab, which later falls off.

Symptoms last for up to four weeks.

HIV and Mpox

The Lancet reports that “people living with HIV have accounted for 38-50% of those affected in the 2022 multi-country mpox outbreak” and goes on to state that “most reported cases were in people who had high CD4 counts and similar outcomes to those without HIV”.

You can read the full Lancet report.

However, a small proportion of people living with HIV who have contracted mpox have a low CD4 count (below 350) and Aidsmap reports “worse clinical outcomes and higher mortality in people with more advanced HIV”.

You can read the full article here.

The British HIV Association (BHIVA) recommends that everyone living with HIV has the mpox vaccine.

You can find additional information about Mpox here:

 I-base Mpox Q&A 

General information about Mpox from the NHS

Latest updates from the UKHSA

March 23rd 2023