Online Communities Highland

HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) Scotland has just launched a range of online communities for people living with HIV, people living with Hepatitis C, people who identify as transgender and for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in the Highlands.

The online communities offer support to people who may feel isolated and an opportunity to get in contact with people in similar situations. After signing up as a member, users can email each other, ask questions, express worries, announce an event or just have an online chat.

Agnes Boes, Health Promotion Specialist for THT Scotland said “Many people living with HIV or Hepatitis C in the Highlands may live remotely or feel isolated. The same applies to those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. These virtual communities provide a place where people can meet online and share experiences. If you’ve got internet access and you think one of these groups might be for you, please log on!”

The online community for people with HIV can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HighlandHIVpos

The online community for people with Hepatitis C can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HighlandHepCpos

The online community for the transgender community can be found at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HighlandTransgender

The online support for LGBT people can be found at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lgbtnorthscotland

THT in the Highlands provides a whole range of other services including one to one and group support. For further information please contact Agnes on agnes.boes@tht.org.uk or call 01463 711 585.

July 2008 Letter

26 June 2008

Dear Friends,

Some exciting things have been happening recently. The Sexual Health Marquee was at Rock Ness, nicely tucked away on the main camping area. During the two days volunteers and people from THT, Brook and Highland Sexual Health distributed 27.500 safer sex materials: condoms, femidoms, dams and lube. Don’t forget that when you are living in Highland or Argyll & Bute you can receive free condoms by post, on request. So please feel free to order them by giving a ring, writing us an e-mail or by popping round to the office and picking them up.

We have increased our online peer support services. We have created three new online peer social/support groups: for HIV positive people, for Hepatitis C positive people and for the Transgender community. The addresses are:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HighlandHIVpos
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HighlandHepCpos
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HighlandTransgender

Join these groups and reap the benefits: create contacts, communicate, share your concerns with your peers. These groups are there for you.

From 15th July we are able to offer you a much greater variety of testing and sexual health Services:

STI Screening: Chamydia, Gonorrhoea, Syphillis
Hep B + Hep C Testing; with direct referral to Hep C Clinic
Hep B Immunisation
HIV Testing: Lab test or Point of Care Testing
Family Planning advice, prescribing of oral contraception
Pregnancy testing
Emergency Contraception
Drop-in services are available every weekday from 1.30-4pm and on Tuesday from 1.30pm-7.00pm. Appointments can also be arranged.

Have a great month – and don’t forget, at home or on holiday, keep yourself and your sexual partner safe!

Agnes Boes
Health Promotion Specialist - Highland

July 2008 Programme

Highland Programme July 2008
Social gatherings

Tuesday 01 July from 9pm - Gay friendly party night at Cactus Jak's. 2-6 Kings Street, Inverness.

Monday 07 July 12-2pm at THT - LGBT Drop-in lunch.

Wednesday 09 July 7-9pm at THT- T group for those who identify as Transgender in all its variety.

Thursday 10 July at 6.30pm - LGBT CAITHNESS Social Group. All lgbt people welcome at the Community Learning and Leisure Office, Princess Street, Thurso. Contact Jon on 07749 517826 for more information.

Tuesday 15 July 6-8pm at THT - HepC positive Support Group. A group to meet other people who are HepC+, whether on treatment or not.

Wednesday 16 July 6.30-7.30pm - Lochaber Support Group. For those who identify as LGBT. Voluntary Action Lochaber, An Drochaid, Claggan Road, Fort William PH33 6PH.

Wednesday 25 July 12-2pm at THT - HIV Positive Support Group.

Tuesday 29 July 6.30-8.30pm at THT - Gay Movie: Midnight in the garden of good and evil.

Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lgbtnorthscotland and join the online community for LGBT people in the North of Scotland

THT:Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland, 34 Waterloo Place, Inverness IV1 1NB Tel:01463 711585