Why HI?

Health Initiatives - HI is a unique concept in the UK. We provide peer support to all young people living with HIV/AIDS up to the age of 27.

HI provides emotional peer support, counselling and advice to young people living with HIV/AIDS and educational workshops with resources for young people on their personal risk to STI’s. HI is the only charity in the UK that provides services directed and run from the population that we reach out to - young people under 27 living with the HIV virus. The Directors of HI and an advisory board of professional members provide practical support to help meet the objectives of the charity. HI has developed community mobilization within its programmes to enable young people and professionals working together in developing innovative approaches to sexual health.

HI has grown and impacted sexual health beyond the classroom. Findings and information were presented at conferences including The Fresh Blood Conference, National Children’s Bureau and the NHS. Addressed MPs ‘All Parliamentary Group on AIDS’ and the Department of Health on sexual health issues, Section 28, young people and HIV. HI Raised more money and awareness than any other HIV charity in the UK for Crusaid’s 2004 ’Walk for life’ campaign. HI worked with the National AIDS Trust on their World AIDS Day campaigns, mobilised scene venues (bars & clubs) across London to support campaigns.

HI worked with many forms of media/campaigns including MTV ‘Staying Alive’ (the first time that a young person from the UK has ever appeared on their World AIDS Day programmes) and BBC 3 ‘Being Positive’ ITN/Radio 4/newspaper to help raise the awareness of the charity’s work and reached an estimated 20 million viewers/listeners. Clint was one of a small group of young people living in the UK to publicly speak about his HIV illness openly. Financial support from the King’s Fund has led to new trainings, internships and a planed scholarship programme via the website to encourage more young people like Clint to take action.

Below are just a few facts that add weight to the countless reports into the problems of Sexual health in the UK. A worldwide survey of 150,000 people by Durex found:

  • 1 in 5 Britons would not tell their long term lover if they had a STI
  • Half would keep quiet if they cheated on their partner
  • Half would not ask their partner about their sexual past
  • 30% of Britons would have sex with a new lover even if he refused to wear a condom
  • 34% of Britons admitted having unprotected sex with a new partner

 

a graph of UK HIV infected individuals and AIDS cases by age group at diagnosis

HIV infected individuals first reported from London and the rest of england by period of diagnosis


Downloadable Documents

  • Donation Form
    Please download this form if you would like to make a donation to Health Initiatives. Every donation is much appreciated and helps us to do more great work with young people with HIV/AIDS!
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