Wow, where has 2024 gone? It’s been such a busy year for us at George House Trust, building the team, developing our service offer and lots of fundraising to ensure we can deliver the services and support that people living with HIV need. I can’t thank every member of the team and our volunteers enough for everything they’ve done to support us over the year.

On World AIDS Day, our Advice, Support and Information Services Manager, Alex and I were at Downing Street when the Prime Minister announced the continued investment in HIV opt-out testing in Emergency Departments, both ensuring that more people know their HIV status and tackling HIV stigma in healthcare settings. As a result, 2025 is going to start with a bang and we’re going to see an expansion of HIV Peer Support across Greater Manchester and Liverpool, meaning that we’ll be visible in more HIV clinics, offering more direct support to people living with HIV, alongside the clinical team.

We’re also coming of age in 2025 and we have a massive programme of activities and events led by Joe who’ll be sharing lots about what’s coming up over the next few months to mark George House Trust’s 40^th year, a year of respect for all those who we’ve lost, reflection on how far we’ve come and a celebration of the amazing achievements of everyone who’s been involved in the making of George House Trust, past and present.

From me, for now, make sure that you take care of yourself over the next couple of weeks. We know it can be a time of joy and a time of sadness too, that’s why the team will be here for you over Christmas. If you need us during the holidays, you can telephone the team on 0161 274 4499 on 27^th, 30^th, 31^st December and 2^nd January between 11am – 3pm. We’ll be back open as normal from Friday 3^rd January 2025.

I look forward to what 2025 brings for us all.

Best wishes,

Darren