Raising awareness this World AIDS Day

25 Nov 2024

December 1st is World AIDS Day and staff at Northumberland County Council are using creative new ways to remind residents that HIV and AIDS have not gone away. 

Commissioned by Eyes Open, a regional steering group who raise awareness of HIV and support World Aids Day, the Public Health team ran ‘Pebble Project’ educational sessions at County Hall where staff attended and gained knowledge on HIV and AIDS. During the sessions they created 'wellbeing pebbles' which feature a QR code and health advice, including information about Sexual Health, World Aids Day and the Eyes Open steering group. 

Members of staff will take their pebble and place in the community during any outings or walks on the run up to World Aids Day, with hopes of raising awareness. 

Over 105,000 people are living with HIV in the UK. World AIDS Day is an opportunity for people across the globe to unite in the fight against HIV, reflect on the medical progress that has been made, show their support for people living with the illness and to commemorate people who have died. 

Gill O’Neill, Director of Public Health at Northumberland County Council, said: “HIV is a completely preventable disease. It is really important to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS and the treatments that are available in Northumberland.  

“There is still a lot of ignorance and misinformation out there. World Aids Day is an excellent opportunity for us to dispel myths and give people prevention information and advice and explain about the effective treatment available to stop HIV in its tracks." 

Northumberland County Councillor Veronica Jones, cabinet member for Public Health said: “Testing, early diagnosis and early treatment, gives people the best chance of living a healthy life and reduces the risk of passing on the infection to someone else unknowingly.  

 “We encourage anyone who thinks they might be at risk of HIV to get checked by contacting our local sexual health services, who offer free and confidential services.” 

To find out more about the Northumberland Sexual Health Service visit  https://www.northumbria.nhs.uk/our-services/sexual-health-services 

Or you can order a free home testing kit from https://www.northumbria.nhs.uk/our-services/sexual-health-services/sti-testing/sti-home-testing-kits-over-18s