Newsletter

I am writing this after having ploughed through 10cm of snow amongst the most astonishing white landscape on my drive to work… and it is only the end of October. I have been living in Scotland for 41/2 years now and it is the first time that there is snow –and this much- so early on. It really makes you think of winter evenings, sitting by the fire.., making walks through the snow, cosy and cold.
But before the end of the year, there is still a major event, WORLD AIDS DAY on 1 December 2008. Many people are living with HIV in the world but also closer to home, more than 90.000 in the UK, more than 5.000 in Scotland, more than 100 in Highland. THT’s vision is to contribute to a world where people with HIV live healthy lives free from prejudice and discrimination, and good sexual health is a right and a reality for all. Our testing services, health promotion activities, one to one and group support, counselling services, our lobbying and training… are all aimed to achieve just that. Together with all other organisations through out the whole world and together with all the people living with HIV we would like to ask you to stand still and consider this problem, to stand still and remember all the people who already died because of HIV related illnesses, to stand still and reflect on you own sexual health and responsibility and to act. On the back of the newsletter we mention a few things you can do on World Aids Day: raise awareness, remember and donate. It is only with your help, with the help of everyone that progress can be made. Come and visit our stall at the Eastgate centre on 1st December. We look forward to meeting you. Further I would like to announce already two end of the year activities. During the year we meet, discuss and socialise. The end of the year is a good time to celebrate. The T group and Swans will have a meal together on Wednesday 10 December in Inverness. And the day after, Thursday 11 December LGBT Caithness is having their end of the year meal in ‘The Old Schoolhouse’ in John O’Groats. More details for both events in the next newsletter. Have a good month and see you soon,
Agnes and Katrina

World Aids Day: December 1st
Respect and Protect

World Aids Day is almost here, so what can you do to support it? Why not...
Raise awareness! Wear a red ribbon or organise a ‘red’ day and encourage your friends and colleagues to do the same. Put up a poster. Knowledge! Find out the facts about HIV and share them. Check out tht.org.uk. Raise funds for HIV support and prevention services in Scotland (THT!) Organise a cake or dvd party; sell something you don’t want any more in an Ebay auction; get people to sponsor you to do something you don’t normally attempt - set up an online sponsor form at justgiving.org
Campaign with us! Check out tht.org.uk/campaign
We can help out by providing red ribbons, World Aids Day posters, leaflets, bookmarks, HIV information or THT collection boxes. Just let us know what you need!


Online groups
We have increased our online peer social / support services with groups for people living with HIV and / or Hepatitis C and for the Transgender community. Join these groups and reap the benefits: create contacts, communicate, share your concerns. These groups are here for you:

People living with HIV http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HighlandHIVpos

People living with Hepatitis C http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HighlandHepCpos

Transgender community http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HighlandTransgender

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

Information blog http://thtscotland-highlandservices.blogspot.com