On 18 September at 3.30pm sexual health and HIV charity Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland (THT) will be holding an open afternoon at its new centre in Aberdeen. The charity is inviting local people to come along.

The event marks the official opening of the new centre and will be an opportunity for service users, partner agencies and other interested parties to meet THT staff and to discuss plans for services in the area. The afternoon will be attended by Richard Baker MSP as well as representatives from NHS Grampian, Aberdeen Council, The City Clinic, Grampian Police, Grampian Fire and Rescue and NEST.

The charity has been based in the city in its old site in Waverley Place since 2006. THT’s new centre on George Street will offer a wider range of services to support people living with HIV and help prevent the rising rates of sexual ill-health.

Services at THT’s new centre include:

• New HIV, Hepatitis B and C testing services
• Health promotion outreach work focused on preventing HIV from being passed on
• Youth groups for LGBT people
• Support groups and health advice for people living with HIV
• One to one advice
• General information on sexually transmitted infections
• Condoms and safer sex information
• Support for children and families affected by HIV

Jackie Redding, Director of Social Care and Service Development for THT said: “We’re delighted to be opening our service in the heart of the city. It will now be much easier for people living with HIV to get all the help and support they need under one roof. With approximately one in four people living with HIV unaware that they have the virus, it’s crucial that we do all we can to make it easier and quicker to have an HIV test.

The address of the new centre is 246 George Street, Aberdeen, AB25 1HN. The telephone number for THT in Aberdeen will continue to be 0845 241 2151.

Ends

Notes to editors

• If you are a journalist or a photographer and you would like to attend the office opening please contact the Terrence Higgins Trust Press Office on 020 7812 1623.
  
• Terrence Higgins Trust is the UK’s largest HIV and sexual health charity with centres across England, Scotland and Wales. We're here to provide information and advice about HIV and sexual health and offer a range of services including sexual health checks, counselling and support groups.  We campaign for a world where people with HIV live healthy lives, free from prejudice and discrimination and we promote good sexual health as a right and reality for all. Terrence Higgins Trust relies on donations to deliver a wide range of services. To make a donation, visit www.tht.org.uk