How you can get involved this World Aids Day

This year’s WAD theme is ‘Take the rights path: My health, my right!’. With our health care providers, community organisations and stakeholders, Wandsworth is committed to tackling the inequalities associated with HIV and AIDS, removing the barriers to testing, and supporting our residents.  

This includes tackling the stigma through education, training, raising awareness of and normalising conversations around HIV and AIDs, and providing information, advice and support within our borough to all our residents.  

In support of WAD, the Red Ribbon flag will be flown at Wandsworth Town Hall on 1 December. 

How you can get involved 

Our sexual health service provider, Spectra and its partners METRO and Kunsaka (previously known as KWA Africa), will host a WAD event for residents, professionals and organisations working within South West London at the Wandsworth Civic Suite, on Wednesday 4 December from 10am - 4pm. 

The event focuses on the theme of Heart, Body, and Soul, the experiences of HIV in our communities.  

The event will provide comprehensive sexual health information, access to South West London partners and organisations, panel discussions, access to free HIV, STI and liver testing, a choir performance and a range of creative workshops. 

Graeme Henderson, Cabinet Member for Health, added: “The contraction of HIV and AIDS are still serious issues that have not gone away. We need to continue to educate people to the risks, how to reduce them and the support services available to those who contract HIV. Our event is an opportunity to discuss the continuing challenges and through working with those with the lived experience to develop appropriate responses. I would encourage all to attend, so we can work together to tackle the stigma and show solidarity with all those affected.”  

Further information for HIV testing and sexual health services 

• Sexual Health Southwest London has a list of services and sexual health clinics offering sexual health testing. 
• Residents can also order a free self-test kit to do at home via the sexual health e-service SHL.UK or via the National HIV Testing scheme.  

Sexual Health Outreach 

Spectra offers a drop-in style support service where community members can access: 

• Free and confidential HIV testing,  
• Support completing STI testing kits 
• Condoms and lubricant 
• Flyers and booklets with further information 
• One-off individualised support should anyone have more specific concerns or queries 
• Signpost to both internal and external services. 

Come along to one of the following drop-in sessions which are open to all residents: 

• 2 December - Roehampton Library, 3.30 – 6.30pm 
• 3 December - Southfields Library, 3 – 6pm 
• 4 December – Southwest London, WAD event in the Civic Suite, Wandsworth, 10am – 4pm  
• 16 December - Roehampton Library, 3.30 – 6.30pm