New local service launches to support residents’ sexual health and reduce health inequalities
A new sexual and reproductive health service aimed at supporting residents from black and other global majority communities launched last week.
“Project Community – Good Sexual Health for all in City and Hackney” was launched on 1 July and is delivered by Positive East on behalf of the City of London Corporation and Hackney Council’s Public Health team.
The new service is the first to be aimed at supporting and empowering local residents from black and other global majority communities to help look after their sexual and reproductive health.
The service offers health promotion, advice and information on a wide range of sexual and reproductive health topics, including ways individuals can protect themselves against HIV and other STIs.
We are delighted to be working with Positive East, an organisation that is very well-respected locally for its work on championing sexual and reproductive health rights. We know that inequalities in this area persist - including within many of our black and other global majority communities locally. These inequalities are unfair and avoidable and we are committed to tackling and reducing them.
This service will support black and other global majority communities in the City of London and Hackney. Everyone has the right to access sexual health services which empower and protect them. Project Community will address some of the inequalities that exist and I look forward to hearing about its progress.
Other areas of support covered include contraception (routine and emergency), signposting and supporting referrals to alternative local services such as sexual health clinics.
Positive East has been supporting local communities - including those who are marginalised - in North East and East London for several decades now. Its work is founded on three key principles: empowerment, equity, and addressing inequality. We have already been delivering HIV prevention and support services locally and are delighted to have this opportunity to work in the City and Hackney with a wider focus.
The service will also provide free condoms and lubricant gels, as well as HIV and STI testing and will work across a number of different local settings, including GP surgeries, health centres, markets, clubs and bars, cultural spaces, events, pharmacies, and faith spaces.
In addition to these services, Project Community will work with the local community, and ensure that the services it provides are developed in partnership with communities themselves, as well as other local partners - including small voluntary sector organisations.
This will be achieved through training up sexual health Community Champions and peer mentors, offering training sessions to faith and other community leaders, running a grants scheme for small organisations to bid from to undertake projects, and digital and social media engagement. And there are also plans for the service to recruit volunteers from these local communities, who will be able to provide their own insight and experiences to shape the delivery of the service.
More information about Project Community contact Euriza at euriza.mata@positiveeast.org.uk or visit: https://www.positiveeast.org.uk/hccommunity/