Terrence Higgins Trust’s successful e-campaigning website has been redesigned to make it one of the most interactive, comprehensive and easy to use site of its kind.  The site, originally launched in December 2001, has already recruited over 600 e-campaigners, and the charity hopes to quadruple this number in the coming year.  The latest campaign, 'Who’s serious about HIV', launches today and encourages primary care trusts to include HIV and sexual health in local delivery plans. 

Martin Kirk, Campaigns and Parliamentary Officer at THT said:  “If you care about the needs of people with HIV and the quality of sexual health in the UK, please join us!  E-campaigning is easy and really does have an effect.  You could be helping to make a real difference to the lives of people with HIV, and the future of the epidemic in this country as well as letting your MP know your views on a variety of subjects.  If you’ve never campaigned before, don’t worry - we can give you all the tools you need to effectively lobby the planners and decision makers in your area.”

The new-look site features:
• a sign-in function which retains a campaigner’s details and their campaigning history

• quarterly e-newsletters which will be emailed directly to campaigners

• regular news items, updated weekly

• interviews with key experts, including politicians and health experts                

HIV e-campaigning website becomes one of UK’s most interactive

Future planned developments for the site include:
• downloadable resources, including a guide to e-campaigning and a guide to the UK’s parliamentary system – these will be available by June 2003

• the chance to receive specialist training in campaigning and lobbying skills – this will be developed in the coming year

There will be four campaigns a year, starting with a campaign this month to encourage primary care trusts to include HIV and sexual health in their local delivery plans.

Martin continued:  “Our campaigners are already playing a vital role in raising political and public awareness, both of the issues faced by people with HIV and also the urgent need for greater investment in sexual health services in the UK.  Join us at www.tht.org.uk by clicking on Campaign with us.”

Ends

Notes to editors

• Previous campaigns have:

• helped ensure that all mothers with HIV can obtain formula milk to protect their babies from HIV transmission through breastfeeding

• persuaded the Minister for Education to consult THT on sex education in schools

• THT’s e-campaigning website is supported by Advocacy Online, who power over 20 e-campaigns in the UK, involving thousands of grassroots activists

• Previous THT e-campaigns include:

• hysteria on asylum seekers with HIV
• World AIDS Day campaign for better sex education in schools

• Government prioritisation for HIV and sexual health ending the ban on entry restrictions to the US for people with HIV

• For further information about Advocacy Online, contact Graham Covington on 020 7370 7070