Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) Cymru is launching a new service on September 6 which offers sexual health information to Welsh chat room users on Gaydar - www.gaydar.co.uk.  The service, called ‘Netreach’, means one of THT’s local outreach workers, who normally works in bars, clubs or cruising grounds, will offer information and support on HIV and sexual health online.

The THT worker will be found between 13.00 and 16.00 on Wednesdays in the North and South Wales chat rooms as well as other themed rooms online. They will be easily recognisable by their username which is tht followed by their first name. Users can chat to them publicly or can double click on their username for a private chat.  The service is completely confidential and no information that could identify the user will be collected.

Marika Williamson, Acting National Manager for THT Cymru said “THT offers the Netreach service in other areas and we were really keen to get online to offer sexual health information and advice to people in Wales. Many of the people we’re trying to reach live in rural areas and may not get to the gay venues we work in very often.  Also, chatrooms are very informal and people often feel more comfortable talking about these issues online rather than face to face or over the phone.“

Simon Johnson, Marketing Manager at Gaydar added: “Gay men are notorious for discussing their sexual antics but not always seeking the help they might need when things aren’t going to plan, and sometimes leave diagnosis or treatment to the last minute. The Netreach programme on Gaydar supplied by THT hopefully breaks down the initial wall of making contact with somebody who can help and who are there to encourage good sexual health.”

THT Cymru will be promoting Netreach and all its other services at Cardiff Pride which takes place in Coopers Field, Cardiff from 1pm until 9pm on Saturday 6 September.

If gay men would like information and support on sexual health matters via another method, they can call THT Direct on 0845 12 21 200, email info@tht.org.uk or visit our website at www.tht.org.uk.

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