News: 03/2024 | Page 5 | George House Trust

Are you looking to make a lasting impact at George House Trust?

 

We are a charity supporting people living with and affected by HIV and we're on the look-out for a new Chair of the Board of Trustees.

 

We're looking for someone with energy and enthusiasm to encourage public support for George House Trust as well as drive the ambitions of Board of Trustees. You'll possess a natural authority, whilst also remaining conscientious and compassionate. Previous Trustee experience is helpful but definitely not essential.

 

This is a really exciting time to join George House Trust and this is a fantastic opportunity to make a lasting impact. Are you a leader that shares our values and who loves to think ahead? 

 

If you're passionate about the role George House Trust can play in supporting people living with and affected by HIV, and are ready to join us to tackle HIV stigma and discrimination head-on, we'd love to hear from you.

 

Read the note from our Deputy Chair, Vanessa, here.

 

All of the information about the process and what to include in your application is detailed in the ‘How to apply’ section of the recruitment pack. The separate demographic monitoring form for completion with your applciation is here

 

Deadlines and timelines are below:

  • Application deadline: 5pm on Monday 31st January 2022.
  • Invitation to interview: Week commencing 14th February 2022.
  • Confirmation of appointment: 28th February 2022.
  • Invitation to role as Chair: April 2022.

 

For an informal chat about this role with our Deputy Chair, Vanessa Jackson, please email darren@ght.org.uk who’ll be happy to organise a conversation. 

 

Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the heart of who we are and what we do. Our commitment to these values is unwavering and they are central to our mission. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities and industries. 

 

Monday, 17 May, 2021

HIV genes can successfully be removed from cells, scientists find.  Many hurdles to overcome before human trials can start.

 

Scientists have demonstrated the potential of CRISPR-Cas9 technology to remove the HIV genome from the DNA of infected cells. They have also identified some of the consequences of doing so and begun to investigate how these side-effects may be mitigated.

 

In one study, Dr Michele Lai and colleagues at the University of Pisa demonstrated the capacity of  CRISPR-Cas9 to remove HIV genetic material from infected cells but also investigated whether the excised sections of DNA may reintegrate and start replicating again.

 

In another, Dr Jonathan Herskovitz and team at the University of Nebraska showed that when CRISPR-Cas9 is manipulated to target multiple sites at two of HIV’s most important genes, viral replication in infected cells almost completely stopped – with no immediately obvious damage to cellular DNA.

 

It's always good to end the year with good news, and you can read the full article here.

Thursday, 16 December, 2021

Women living with HIV are under-represented in research, limiting our understanding of co-morbid diseases.

 

A systematic review of studies of medical conditions in women living with HIV has found large gaps in the data, particularly for women over 50. The studies that do explore this topic showed that women living with HIV are at increased risk of acute cardiac disease, reduced bone mineral density and poorer cognitive function than women in the general population, while their gender increases the risk of kidney disease. Whether the causes of the increased risk are biological or if other factors such as socioeconomic status and ethnicity are also contributing is unclear because of a lack of evidence.

 

Compared to their male counterparts, women living with HIV appear to have co-morbid diseases at a younger age and worse outcomes. Despite women making up more than 50% of HIV diagnoses worldwide, women are under-represented in research. Dr Sonia Raffe and her team conducted a review of studies that examined how common cardiovascular, kidney, bone and neurocognitive disease was in women living with HIV and presented their findings at the 18th European AIDS Conference (EACS 2021).

 

It's always good to end the year with good news, and you can read the full article here.

Monday, 6 December, 2021

Funds Raised for Elton John AIDS Foundation Will Pay For Those At Risk To Be Able To Get Tested, And Will Make Sure They Have Access To The Treatment They Need.

 

Andrew Williams had never heard of the word HIV when he tested positive. It was his mother who had forced him to go to the doctor where he got the diagnosis that he thought was a death sentence.

 

At that time he was in a wheelchair. It was the unbearable itching of his back that finally got him to get medical help but, he discovered, he not only had HIV but diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney disease.

 

That was two years ago. This week, as the 31-year-old joined Sir Elton John and Evening Standard and The Independent owner Evgeny Lebedev in Atlanta to witness the revolutionary new breakthroughs against the disease at the city’s Grady Ponce De Leon Centre, there was no need for a wheelchair. Nor, he now knew, was there any need for fear.

 

Within two months of starting the latest antiretroviral drugs, the virus in his body had become undetectable in his blood. Not only is he now healthy, partly due to the drugs and partly due to the healthy lifestyle adopted for his other illnesses, but he can virtually not pass the infection to other people.

 

He feels, he says, “reborn”. “I have a reason to live,” he explained, “and that is to help people who were like me – and to show you’re going to be OK.”

 

It's always good to end the year with good news, and you can read the full article here.

Friday, 3 December, 2021

New HIV Jabs Taken Two Months Apart Hailed As A Huge Step Forward

 

Thousands of people living with HIV in Britain are to be freed from the burden of taking daily pills, after health chiefs gave the green light for a revolutionary treatment by injection every two months.

 

Draft guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) recommends offering the antiretroviral drugs cabotegravir and rilpivirine in England and Wales after trials proved they work as effectively as daily tablets.

 

You can read the full article here.

Thursday, 18 November, 2021

More Bone Scans Needed For Older People Living With HIV

 

The pathway recommended for assessing the risk of major fracture in people living with HIV by the British HIV Association (BHIVA) may be inadequate, according to a new study from the Chelsea & Westminster Hospital in London.

 

People living with HIV are at greater risk of osteoporosis than their HIV-negative counterparts. Osteoporosis is the process in which bones lose density over time and are at increased risk of breaking (a fracture). HIV itself, certain HIV medications and risk factors that are more prevalent in people living with HIV are all thought to contribute to a higher risk of osteoporosis. Whilst a fracture to the forearm may be easily managed with little impact on everyday routine, a fracture of the hip or spine can be life changing.  Current BHIVA guidelines suggest that all people living with HIV over fifty years of age are assessed using the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) to determine their risk of having a major fracture in the next ten years.

 

You can read the full article here.

Tuesday, 16 November, 2021

Most People With HIV Accept COVID-19 Vaccination; More Safety Information Would Help Those Who Are Hesitant

 

Surveys from diverse settings do not suggest unusual levels of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among people living with HIV, the 18th European AIDS Conference (EACS 2021) heard last week. Data were presented from Argentina, Greece, Turkey, the Middle East and the United Kingdom.

 

People living with HIV are at increased risk of worse COVID-19 outcomes than the general population. Achieving a high level of vaccination among people with HIV is therefore crucial. However, low levels of confidence in novel COVID-19 vaccines is a widespread phenomenon.

 

The largest of the surveys was of 1486 people living with HIV in Argentina: 84% said they would have the vaccine if recommended by a healthcare provider and 79% if the government mandated it. Safety was a crucial factor for those who were hesitant about vaccination.

 

You can read the full article here.

Friday, 5 November, 2021

Black History Month 2021: Yvonne Richards' HIV Heroes and Sheroes

 

Yvonne is an HIV activist and volunteers at George House Trust. 

 

  "This group of people show me how to live my best life. In the HIV arena, they stand as very visible icons, continuing the tradition of fighting for the rights of black people to step into their humanity. I hope you enjoy discovering and celebrating them as much as I have....."

 

Read Yvonne's introduction to this blog post here

 

 

 

 

Susan Cole-Haley

 Susan Cole-Haley is an award-winning HIV activist, writer, broadcaster, and speaker.

 

She produces and hosts the award-winning series aidsmapLIVE, which has a global audience. 

 

 Susan is an advocate for the rights of people living with HIV and is particularly passionate about health inequalities which affect people from Black communities living with HIV. 

 

 

Davina Conner

Davina is an international speaker, podcast host and an HIV advocate, activist and campaigner. Her aim is to inspire and motivate other and change the narrative on how HIV is looked at. 

 

She is a founding member of the Prevention access campaign (UequalsU), an ambassador of U=U, a 2020 Leading Women’s Society Alumni, and a former Denver HIV planning Council member.

 

 

 

 

LeaSuwanna Griffith

LeaSuwanna is a HIV activist and campaigner (Act Up London, HIV Voices, Her Story & Changing Perception) and a trained HIV peer mentor. She is a Trustee at Positively UK and Centre for All Families Positive Health

 

She is also a patient representative for the Royal College of Physicians, Newham CCG, Sir Ludwig Guttman Centre Patient Forum, GP Patient rep & HIV CRG sub group. Most recently LeaSuwanna is a Bart’s Health NHS Trust Nursing Associate apprentice.

 

 

 

 

Bakita Kasadha

Bakita is a poet and a health writer for the British Journal of Healthcare Management, Glamour, Metro, gal-dem and others. 

 

 

Her poetry has been commissioned for the 40th anniversary of the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt, Sainsbury’s Black History Month campaign, National Stephen Lawrence Day. 

 

She is a researcher at the University of Oxford, working on an HIV and infant-feeding project, and is co-editing a special collection on women and HIV.

 

Rev Jide Macaulay

Reverend Jide Macaulay is the founding Pastor and CEO of House Of Rainbow CIC. He is an openly gay British-Nigerian, a Christian minister since 1998 and serves on a number of advisory boards. 

 

Reverend Jide ia an inspirational speaker, author, poet, pastor, preacher, HIV Positive Activist, and campaigner for HIV, LGBTQI+ and social justice causes. 

 

 

 

 

Denis Onyango

Denis is Programmes Director at Africa Advocacy Foundation

He is a strong advocate for the rights of people living with HIV, and campaigns on a wide range of social justice and human rights issues.

 

He is involved in healthcare policy work both nationally and internationally and serves on several advisory boards. 

 

 

 

Phil Samba

Phil is a social activist, researcher, writer and speaker.

 

He promotes knowledge about sexual health and prevention, and is passionate about addressing the specific sexual health needs of queer men of colour.

 

He is the strategic lead for PrEP 4 Queer Men Of Colour at Prepster and The Love tank CIC

 

 

Mercy Shibemba

Mercy is an award-winning activist, who advocates for young people living with HIV.

 

She works on youth engagement and participation in clinical trials, research and charities supporting young people.

 

She is Co-Chair of The Sophia Forum, working to improve the rights, health, welfare and dignity of women living with HIV.

 

 

Winnie Sseruma

Winnie Ssanyu Sseruma is a freelance consultant and HIV treatment activist, who has led various organisations and served on many advisory boards. 

 

She is known for highlighting the impact of HIV on women and people living with HIV, and for providing expertise to community organisations responding to issues of social justice, women’s leadership and HIV. 

 

 

 

 

Marc Thompson 

Marc is the current Director of The Love Tank, and co-founded both PrEPster and BlackOut UK.

 

He's a skilled trainer, public speaker, activist and adovcate.

 

Marc is a prominent activist for HIV and sexual health in the UK, and has campaigned on key issues like HIV Peer support, PrEP, U=U and social justice.

 

 

 

18th October 2021

 

Black History Month: Yvonne's HIV Heroes

Black History Month: Celebration Event

Robert's Black History Month Blog

Monday, 18 October, 2021

Robert's Story - Part 4

Black History Month 2021

 

Robert is a volunteer at George House Trust and has written a four-part blog for Black History Month 2021. Here is part 4......

 

I believe things are getting somewhat better in the United Kingdom but racism is still alive and kicking.

 

Our politicians need to step up to the plate and lead by example especially those in senior positions.

 

We also need schools to practice what they preach and not just pay lip service to racism. Schools need to start teaching black history and not just British and European history. The Anglican and Catholic Churches need to speak up and stand up for those from foreign lands. In the football world, it is obvious that there is still a far way to go judging by the recent spate of racist tweets aimed at our black football players.

 

To my black brothers and sisters I would like to say that if you are ever challenged as to why you are here and not back in your own country always remember the words of my Sociologist Lecturer at University.

 

He used to say “tell them, you are here because they were there”.

 

In other words when you think how our colonies in the West Indies, Africa and Asia were plundered and the profits from slavery, sugar and various minerals were used to build many of these big buildings we see today in Bristol, Liverpool, London and other cities, then we have every right to be here!

 

In closing, perhaps a day will come when we will feel that there is no need to have a “Black History Month” but I dare say this is a long way off.

 

It’s not just the black children who need to know more about their roots and their ancestry but children of other races should also know too, so as to avoid perpetuating further stereo-type views in the future.

 

Perhaps some of us are too embarrassed to talk about slavery and wish to forget that it ever happened.

 

It is important to remember the words of Malcolm X, “Our history did not begin in chains”.

 

 

Black History Month Celebration Event

Read part 1

Read part 2

Read part 3 

16th October 2021

 

Saturday, 16 October, 2021

FESTIVE LUNCH

Festive Lunch

 

Join other people living with HIV at George House Trust’s fabulous Festive Lunch!  We will be providing hot food, including roast turkey, beef, vegetarian options, and all the trimmings.

 

We will also have a range of sparkling refreshments, sweet treats, and some festive entertainment.

 

Please let us know beforehand if you have any dietary or access requirements.

 

Due to Covid-19 we are holding two sittings this year, with 20 individual places on each.  The two sittings are taking place on:

 

Wednesday 15th December, 12noon – 3pm

or

Thursday 16th December, 12noon – 3pm

 

You can select a sitting when you register for this event.

 

If you have any questions, please call Josh on 0161 274 4499 or send Josh an email

 

Covid-19 Statement

 

We’re really pleased to be welcoming people back to George House Trust for in-person events.

 

We have hand sanitiser stations throughout the building, our volunteers will be wearing masks and we’ve limited food and refreshment self-service at events.  You also have the option of wearing a mask when you’re in the building.

 

As much as we are trying to be as Covid safe as possible, we cannot completely eliminate the risk of someone contracting Covid whilst at an event.

 

We would ask that you think carefully and consider your own health status before deciding to attend an event.

 

If you have any symptoms associated with Covid-19, such as:

  • A new and continuous cough
  • A high temperature or fever
  • A loss or change in sense of smell or taste

please do not attend an event you have registered for or enter the George House Trust building.

 

If you test positive within 5 days of attending an event (either through a lateral flow test or PCR test) we ask that you let us know.  We will then text other people who were at the event to advise them that they should test.  This will be done anonymously; your details will not be given to anyone.

 

If you have been at an event where someone has notified us that they have tested positive for Covid-19 we will notify you by text.

Wednesday, 17 November, 2021

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Call 0161 274 4499 or email: talk@ght.org.uk