Lighthouse has successfully secured a contract from Barking & Dagenham and Havering Primary Care Trusts and the London Boroughs of Barking and Dagenham and Havering to provide local HIV social care services.

Adam Wilkinson, Regional Manager, Lighthouse East London said:  “We are very much looking forward to providing services in Barking & Dagenham and Havering.  Local people have always valued the HIV services they’ve used, and we will be working closely with them to develop new services.  Over the next few weeks, we will be talking to local service users, clinical staff and social care staff to find out more about needs in the area.  Change to services can be unsettling for people, and we will work hard to make sure that any disruption is kept to a minimum.”

Murad Kutay, HIV Services Commissioner at Barking and Dagenham Primary Care Trust said:  “Numbers of people with HIV continue to rise in East London, and demand for services is increasing all the time.  We are really pleased to be working with Lighthouse East London.  It will enable us to provide a whole range of medical and social care to people living with HIV.”

Anyone who needs further information on Lighthouse East London’s services in Barking &  Dagenham and Havering should call THT Direct Helpline on 0845 12 21 200.  All calls are charged at local rates, and the service is open seven days a week. 
 
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Notes to editors

Lighthouse and Terrence Higgins Trust provide a variety of information, support and advice services to people living with, at risk from and affected by HIV and AIDS, including:

• counselling
• peer support groups
• Telephone advice via THT Direct Helpline (see below)
• an assessment and referral process
• specific services for people from African communities including emotional support
• Comprehensive information and advice by telephone is available from THT Direct Helpline on 0845 12 21 200. 
• Calls are charged at local rates, and advice is available in languages other than English.  This service is open as follows:
• 10am to 10pm on weekdays
• 12noon to 6pm at weekends
• Information is also available online at www.tht.org.uk