THAMES VALLEY POSITIVE SUPPORT 

The funding will be used to provide a safe space for LBGTQIA+ people in the area. The aim of the project is to enable anyone who views themselves on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum to meet and socialise to ....more

The funding will be used to provide a safe space for LBGTQIA+ people in the area. The aim of the project is to enable anyone who views themselves on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum to meet and socialise to dress identify and express themselves in the way that they want to without fear of prejudice or judgement.

"The fund aims to:1) To reduce closures of essential charities that provide essential services to vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 crisis by ensuring they have the financial resources to ....more

"The fund aims to:1) To reduce closures of essential charities that provide essential services to vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 crisis by ensuring they have the financial resources to operate, thereby reducing the burden on public services.2) To ensure essential services are provided to vulnerable people, both in the short and long term through increased community support through the work of charitable organisations."

The funding will be used for a project that supports people HIV positive into old age. The mission is to bridge the gap between HIV services and older people's services so that the first generation ....more

The funding will be used for a project that supports people HIV positive into old age. The mission is to bridge the gap between HIV services and older people's services so that the first generation of people to grow old with HIV can make a seamless transition into this stage of their lives. They will build links with older people's services, publicise the project to potential and existing service users, train volunteers, share learning, build links to new organisations and evaluate the project.

Thames Valley Positive Support (TVPS)

Thames Valley Positive Support - running costs

TVPS will work with agencies in Berkshire that support women affected by FGM, to deliver HIV awareness training, encourage HIV testing and to signpost eligible women to the PrEP trial.TVPS has ....more

TVPS will work with agencies in Berkshire that support women affected by FGM, to deliver HIV awareness training, encourage HIV testing and to signpost eligible women to the PrEP trial.TVPS has supported those affected by HIV in Berkshire for 35 years, more recently offering rapid HIV testing. Berkshires main towns, Reading and Slough, have a higher than average prevalence of HIV (in 2016, Reading was 7th in England, Slough 8th for HIV prevalence per 1000 of population). Reading and Slough also have a high incidence of women who have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM): in a 2015 study by Alison Macfarlane of City University, Slough was ranked as one of the local authorities with between 12 and 16 instances of FGM per 1000 population, the highest outside of London. Moreover, Slough has sizeable and growing communities from the Horn of Africa, especially Somalia, where FGM prevalence is close to 100%, and where the most extreme form of FGM, infibulation, is practised. Women and girls with FGM are especially vulnerable to HIV for a number of reasons, which are explained in the next section; but cultural issues, stigma or lack of awareness prevent them from accessing mainstream sexual health services to be tested for HIV or to discuss preventive methods. The project will address several HIV Prevention Innovation fund priorities:Promoting prompt diagnosis through frequent testing: by offering rapid HIV testing either onsite or at venues other than the sexual health clinicReducing stigma: by training our FGM partners to deliver HIV training and initiate conversations about HIVIntegrating HIV prevention with FGM support: by ensuring a robust care pathway with our FGM partnersIncreasing knowledge of PrEP: by raising awareness of the PrEP trial and encouraging participation for women who fit the criteriaWorking with agencies that support these women will ensure that the HIV information they deliver helps break down stigma, and that women can access HIV testing discreetly, with our full support.

This project will support people diagnosed with HIV more than 15 years ago to broaden their life skills, reduce isolation and play a more active role in the community. Alongside drop-in and ....more

This project will support people diagnosed with HIV more than 15 years ago to broaden their life skills, reduce isolation and play a more active role in the community. Alongside drop-in and counselling services there will be volunteer mentors who will meet people on a weekly basis to produce an individual plan, looking at things like getting the right support, starting a hobby or returning to work. People will also be offered volunteering opportunities to help them stay healthy, active and independent.