Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) has opened a sexual health drop-in service in Bridgnorth to raise awareness of HIV and safer sex.  The new drop-in, to be held every second Thursday from 3-6pm, aims to reach people in rural communities who have poorer access to sexual health services. The first surgery will be held on Thursday 14 September.

Paul Gruffudd, Gay Men's Health Promotion Officer for Terrence Higgins Trust in Shropshire said:
"It's great that we're opening the new sugery in Bridgnorth because people living in rural communities often have very little access to sexual health and support services. This surgery is for everyone, but we also hope that lesbian gay and bisexual people will use it as they are often put off from accessing mainstream services."

THT provide the following sexual health information surgeries in Shropshire:
• Kingswell centre, Oswestry, alternate Mondays from 11th September 4 till 7pm
• Parish Office Ludlow, alternate Mondays from 18th September 4 till 7pm
• Castle Hall, Bridgnorth, 2nd Thursday of the month 3 till 6pm
• Open office in Wellington, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Saturdays of every month, 9.30 till 5.30,
every Tuesday 2 till 5 and every Friday 10 till 2

Other services include:
• Condoms by post, and condom distribution scheme for under 19yrs old
• Needle exchange based at the Wellington office during normal office hours, 9.30 - 5.30
• I-mix, THT's lesbian gay and bisexual youth group
• Sexual health screening clinic
• Community sexual health outreach work in pubs, clubs and other venues
• Peer support group for anybody living with HIV
• The HIV positive women's group

If you would like to find out more about THT's services in Shropshire please contact the Wellington office on 01952 221 410.

Ends

Notes to Editors

• THT are holding a fundraiser night with local drag artists: Linda Limelight, Hazel Nutt, Mad Mable and and the famous Dame Edna Madge double act at Minnesota Fats, Oakengates, Telford on the 30th September. The night starts at 8.30 and will raise funds for THT's services in Shropshire. Tickets cost £5. Find out more here.

• Terrence Higgins Trust is the UK’s leading HIV and sexual health charity, providing a wide range of services to over 50,000 people a year.  The charity also campaigns and lobbies for greater political and public understanding of the personal, social and medical impact of HIV and sexual health.