Phill Jupitus, star of Never Mind the Buzzcocks, will be in Colchester today to attend the launch of Terrence Higgins Trust East. THT is the UK’s leading HIV charity, and has joined together with Polarity and SAIDSO, HIV agencies in Essex to establish Terrence Higgins Trust East with centres in Colchester and Southend-on-Sea.  Bob Russell, MP for Colchester will also be attending the launch.

Donald Branch, Director of England and Wales services for Terrence Higgins Trust says: “We are delighted that Terrence Higgins Trust East will be developing new and expanded services for people with HIV in Essex. Local agencies SAIDSO and Polarity have been working in Essex for the past 17 years and this merger will expand the reach of this vital work, bringing real benefits to the 300 known people with HIV and their families in Essex.” 

Andrew Pearmain, HIV Development Manager for Essex Social Services says " I'm really pleased to see the new Terrence Higgins Trust service in Essex fully functioning - we're already seeing an improvement in the quality of service our clients are receiving"

Ends

Notes to editors:

• The launch event will take place at the Colchester office on Thursday 9 October at 2pm. 

• The centre’s address is : The Old Customs House, Hythe Quay, Colchester  CO2 8JB
Tel: 01206 798 595