HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust are launching a new sexual health service thanks to the support of Soho Estates and its Director Fawn James.

In 2009 Soho Estates, which Fawn inherited from her Grandfather Paul Raymond, provided funding, for three years, for a weekly all day Testing and Support Service in Soho dedicated to male, female and transgender sex workers of all ages, either street or flat based, living or working in the Westminster area.

The project has focused on harm reduction, health promotion and HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention and the service has offered HIV and STI testing, screening for Hepatitis A, B and C and vaccinations for Hepatitis B as well as one-to-one and group support sessions.

However, as the clinic has already exceeded its target to support 500 people annually, with nearly 300 people seen in six months, it is moving its service to Chelsea and Westminster’s new sexual health clinic at 56 Dean Street, which has the capacity to provide increased services under one roof.

The new venue will provide an opportunity for increased awareness raising about HIV and STI transmission and the health services and support available in Soho. It will also give the partnership more resources to provide greater peer support and keep workers safer by trying to get them off the streets.

New services will include a full sexual health screening, contraception and family planning for all female sex workers as well as complementary therapies such as massage and counselling, with clinical staff on hand to discuss other issues that clients might face such as safety whilst working, how to report attacks, issues around self-esteem, and isolation. THT will also be developing group work sessions around safety and the law.

Fawn James said: “Soho Estates, as the name suggests, has for many years been very much part of the Soho scene. We have, however, only recently initiated a CSR programme and we are delighted that our first project is with Terrence Higgins Trust, located in Dean Street - right in the heart of Soho. THT does incredibly important work and I am really pleased that we are involved”.

Alan Wardle, Head of Health Promotion at Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “We are thrilled that the success of this partnership with Chelsea and Westminster has led to this relocation so we can provide a better and wider range of services to people who need us. Without the support of Soho Estates none of this would be possible.

“The move will make huge strides in promoting sexual health in Soho and reducing the stigma and social isolation which affect this group as well as improving their welfare. It’s also a great example of partnership working, with 56 Dean Street providing clinical care whilst THT provides health promotion, counselling and case work.”

Clients will continue to be supported with a range of issues often complicated by their personal circumstances, including homelessness, a lack of education, lack of employment history, issues with drugs and abusive experiences in childhood. 

Ends
           

Notes to Editor

• THT’s SWISH (sex workers into sexual health) service is running at 56 Dean Street every Thursday from 9am until 12pm
• 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
• 56 Dean Street is a state of the art sexual health and HIV clinic run by Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. The service is located in the heart of Soho and is London’s busiest sexual health clinic. It diagnoses 1 in 5 cases of HIV in London’s gay men. www.56deanstreet.nhs.uk