Gay and bisexual men account for a significant proportion of HIV infections that occur in the UK. Because of the continued impact of HIV on gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men and the increasing number of diagnoses, these communities remain one of the Centre’s priorities for HIV prevention and sexual health promotion interventions.
Evaluation of Time 2 Test Pilot: Final Report 2010
‘Time 2 Test’ was a Department of Health funded pilot scheme that provided MSM (men who have sex with men) with home saliva sampling kits to increase access to HIV testing and reduce levels of undiagnosed HIV.
Men Only Testing – Get The Full M.O.T.
Sheffield Contraception and Sexual Health Service is launching M.O.T. – Men Only Testing, a new sexual health drop in clinic for men who have sex with men on Wednesday 12 May.
Based within the Central Health Clinic on Mulberry Street in the city centre, behind TJ Hughes, the new drop in clinic will provide a safe and confidential space where men can be tested for sexually transmitted infections and get Hepatitis B vaccinations. Trained nurses and health promotion staff will be available to offer men advice and information around their sexual health. The clinic will also offer free condoms and lube to all clients.
The clinic opens every Wednesday between 4pm and 6.30pm and can be accessed by men of all ages and backgrounds.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) can affect all men, but are more common amongst those who have lots of different sexual partners and younger men. Often there are no signs or symptoms of an STI, therefore testing for infections on a regular basis is recommended. The tests involve collecting a blood and urine sample and taking a throat and rectal swab, the latter will be done by the men themselves in private. This will test for Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Syphilis, HIV and Hepatitis B, with the results returned the following week.
Ann Burke, Head of Sheffield Contraception and Sexual Health said, “This is a new and exciting service for gay and bisexual men and men who have sex with men in Sheffield. It is important for men of all ages to have regular tests for sexually transmitted infections, however we see fewer men in our sexual health clinics, in particular men who have sex with men. The new drop in will provide an opportunity for men to have tests and get advice in a private and comfortable setting”.
For further information about the drop in clinic, please visit www.scash.nhs.uk or phone 0114 271 6816.
Socialising & Sexual Health 2007
Sheffield Gay and Bisexual Men and other Men who have Sex with Men
The Centre for HIV and Sexual Health, Sheffield Hallam University and diva are conducting an evaluation of current services and support for gay and bisexual men and men who have sex with men who live, work or socialise in Sheffield. We want to ensure your views and insights are central to current and future services and would be very grateful if you could complete this survey.
Our questions aim to give us a broad view of some key issues. These include how you socialise, meet sexual partners, access information and support services, what you think about local and national sexual health campaigns, and how all this is influenced by society and feelings of inclusion or exclusion.
All responses will be kept confidential and you will not be identifiable.
The evaluation form is available to download below:
Community Outreach Programme With Gay & Bisexual Men
The Centre has a team of 6 outreach workers involved in delivering sexual health interventions on the commercial gay scene (pubs, clubs and a sauna) and in public sex environments (including parks, public toilets and wooded areas). This programme enables the Centre to contact large numbers of men on the commercial gay scene and via public sex environments, men who are isolated and have less access to community networks. The outreach team provide these men with access to information and support in relation to their HIV prevention and sexual health promotion needs as well as free condoms and lube.
The Centre also provides a free condom and lube distribution scheme via the commercial gay scene in order that men have access to resources when the outreach team are not on duty.
SHOUT! An Alternative Space for Gay and Bisexual Men
SHOUT! is an information and support service for gay and bisexual men. It provides a space to discuss sexual health, relationships, coming out and self-esteem. SHOUT! offers a wide variety of activities and a monthly film night and discussion. SHOUT! provides one-to-one support on request. Free access to condoms and lube is available to all visitors.
SHOUT! also provides support and information for men who are married or in relationships with women who are also attracted to men. SHOUT! Provides a monthly newsletter providing information on social issues and forthcoming sessions. This information is also available from the website.
Services available include:
- One-to-one support
- A safe alternative space
- Information
- Sexual health advice
- Free access to condoms and lube
- A monthly Newletter
SHOUT! is open every Thursday evening 6.30pm-9.30pm at The Circle Building, Rockingham Lane, Sheffield (between Division Street and West Street) and can be contacted on either 0114 253 6767 or 0114 305 4444.
Email: support@shoutinsheffield.co.uk
Website: www.shoutinsheffield.co.uk
Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual (LGB) Young People’s Multi Agency Group
Following a research project looking at the needs of LGB Young People, the Centre established a Multi Agency Group to work towards delivering the recommendations from the research. Lesbian, gay and bisexual young people and key services identified a range of issues affecting their health, education and employment opportunities including:
- bullying
- lack of support within most school settings
- non-inclusive sex education
- peer pressure
- lack of positive role models
- stereotypes
- isolation
- a lack of safe social spaces to meet other lesbian, gay and bisexual young people
This led to the production of an implementation plan with recommendations focused on strategic, policy, operational and educational developments for LGB young people.
Gay Website
www.gaysheffield.co.uk is a resource primarily aimed at lesbian gay and bisexual people who are either live in Sheffield or visit the Sheffield Gay Scene. It provides people with information on a wide variety of issues from coming out and relationships through to safer sexual health messages and different sexual practices.
Postal Scheme
The postal condom scheme for gay and bisexual men living in Sheffield provides free a supply of free condoms and lubricant as well as a recent leaflet containing sexual health and support group details. As well as this people can call and arrange to pick up a pack either from our office or from several locations in the city.
Fruitbowl
Fruitbowl is a service for young people, under 18, who either identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual or who are questioning their emerging sexuality. The service offers a weekly group night with various activities including arts and crafts, discussions and trips out. Fruitbowl is also able to offer one to one support for young people who want to talk through things they may be finding difficult. For more information visit www.sheffieldfruitbowl.org.uk
