8th July 2015 marked George House Trust’s 30th year of providing support, advice and advocacy services to people in the North West who are living with HIV. From the politically and publicly challenging climate of the 80s and 90s, through great strides in HIV medicine, to being able to host Manchester’s first drag ball since the 1800’s, the charity has, and continues to, provide needs-based support for people who are no longer facing imminent threat of death, but are trying to navigate life in the 21st century, while managing a condition which finds many facing stigma and active discrimination.
George House Trust is using this year as a platform from which to raise the profile of HIV, an often forgotten and misunderstood long-term health condition. Part of that strategy has been to welcome television producer and screenwriter, Russell T Davies, as their first patron. Russell, whose body of work includes television shows about groups directly affected by HIV, reflects the diverse personality of the charity.
Russell says,
"It's an honour to become patron of George House Trust - the staff are amazing and their dedication is a lesson to us all. As the issues around HIV and AIDS take brand new forms, along with age-old problems, GHT is at the forefront of the battle."
Rosie Robinson, Joint Chief Executive says,
“We are delighted to welcome Russell to George House Trust. With Russell’s support we can communicate our messages about HIV stigma more loudly and clearly throughout the North West”