New Partnership Expands HIV Testing, Treatment, and Support Services on the Wirral

A new collaboration between Wirral Ways and Sahir is set to expand HIV testing, treatment, and support services throughout the Wirral. This initiative will continue Sahir's established HIV outreach and support services in the Region while Wirral Ways will take the lead on HIV testing, including:- STI screening for chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis. The partnership is expected to enhance the Region's ability to prevent and manage HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

Wirral Ways, part of Change Grow Live, will offer free and confidential HIV and STI testing at various locations, ensuring that individuals have easy access to essential sexual health services. Sahir will complement these efforts by providing vital support through 1:1 practical and emotional support, counselling services, peer support groups, and educational outreach for people living with HIV.

The initiative also includes:- education on the use of HIV prevention tools such as PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) and PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis). PrEP is a daily medication that significantly reduces the risk of HIV infection, while PEP is an emergency treatment that can prevent infection if taken within 72 hours of exposure. Both treatments will be available as part of this comprehensive new service.

Knowing your status through regular testing is a critical component in preventing the spread of HIV. The partnership will promote the message of U=U, which stands for Undetectable = Untransmittable. This means that individuals with HIV who adhere to treatment and maintain an undetectable viral load cannot transmit the virus to others. The message is simple: with proper treatment, HIV becomes a manageable condition, and those who are undetectable pose no transmission risk.

In addition to testing and treatment, Sahir will run support groups designed to offer emotional and peer support to people living with HIV. These confidential spaces will help reduce stigma, and encourage open discussions about sexual health and living with HIV.

Ant Hopkinson, Sahir's Chief Executive said:- "At Sahir, we are dedicated to supporting individuals living with and affected by HIV. Our partnership with Wirral Ways enables us to extend our reach to even more people in need. By combining our expertise in HIV support and prevention with Wirral Ways' testing services, we can create a stronger safety net for the community. This collaboration not only supports those living with HIV but also plays a crucial role in reducing stigma and promoting education around prevention tools like PrEP and PEP."

Sharing his excitement of the new partnership, Gerry Pangalis, Service Manager for Wirral Ways said:- "At Wirral Ways, we are committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of our community, and this partnership with Sahir represents a significant step forward in addressing the prevention and treatment of HIV on the Wirral. By combining our local expertise in providing accessible testing services with Sahir's extensive support and counselling experience, we are ensuring that more people can receive the care they need. This initiative will not only help reduce the spread of HIV but also challenge the stigma that still surrounds the condition. Together, we are building a safer, more informed community."

This new partnership is part of the national effort to reach the UK's goal of zero new HIV transmissions by 2030. By making testing, prevention, and support more accessible, the Wirral community will be better equipped to manage their sexual health and reduce the spread of HIV.

For further information on services or to book a test, visit:- Sahir.Org.UK/Wirral.

The Good Beer Guide 2025 shows the power of protecting pubs across Merseyside and Cheshire

THE Campaign for Real Ale's (CAMRA) Good Beer Guide; the UK's best selling beer and pub guide; is celebrating its 52nd edition with not 1 but 2 covers featuring 2 of the UK's favourite locals: Coronation Street's Rovers Return Inn, and Emmerdale's Woolpack. The Guide, which lists 4,500 of the best pubs across the UK, is the definitive beer drinker's guide for those seeking the best pints in the nations' pubs; and is on sale now.

Despite the tough trading environment facing a lot of licensees, they continue to battle against the odds, and the 2025 Guide boasts over 900 pubs that are new to this edition.

Information in the Guide is collated by thousands of CAMRA volunteers who give up their time every year to select the best of the best across the UK. As well as covering 143 of the very best pubs across Merseyside and Cheshire, it includes:- 36 new pub entries across the counties.  

The foreword of The Good Beer Guide 2025 has been written by multi award winning Iain Macleod, ITV's Executive Producer for Continuing Drama. In his foreword, MacLeod says::- "...the story which threatened 1 of our pubs the most was also the 1 which most resonated with our times. In 2023, the Rovers Return closed its doors. A combination of the lingering legacy of the Covid lockdowns and the cost of living crisis meant that landlady Jenny Bradley couldn't afford to keep it open. The characters; and the viewers; lamented the news like the loss of a loved one. If it were needed, it was a timely reminder of the central place the nation's pubs have in our lives and in our affections."  

CAMRA Chairman Ash Corbett-Collins said:- "The Rovers Return Inn and the Woolpack represent the UK's love of their local, and to have them featured on the covers for this year's Guide is very exciting. CAMRA's mission is to ensure support from the Government as well as tangible legislation to protect pubs in this country. By next year's edition of the Guide, we want to be talking about the beer and pub trade growing with the support of communities and parliament alike."   

Coronation Street and Emmerdale are available to watch on:- ITV and ITVX. This year's Guide is sponsored by Midland Snacks Traditional Pork Scratchings and endorsed by Cask Marque. The Good Beer Guide 2025 is set to be published on 26 September 2024, and is available to order now from:- Camra.Org.UK.

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New Partnership Expands HIV Testing, Treatment, and Support Services on the Wirral

The Good Beer Guide 2025 shows the power of protecting pubs across Merseyside and Cheshire