Gay Men's Health can be contacted at the above address and/or phone number. Please use the e-mail form to contact us. All enquiries are treated in strict confidence. |
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Gay Men's Health can be contacted at the above address and/or phone number. Please use the e-mail form to contact us. All enquiries are treated in strict confidence. |
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Annual Report 2000 to 2001
The Money Shot Ann “Wonder “ Wright does the sums and delivers…
I’d just like to thank…… (Step to podium, air kiss – ‘mawh, mawh’) Gay Men’s Health would like to thank (pause,. look at award) all those who have helped and supported us throughout the year. (Sniffle, muted sob, check eye make-up.) We didn’t do this by ourselves and all contributors have brought experience, enthusiasm (blank-out, stare into middle distance, smile knowingly) and sexual allure. (Ripple of forced laughter at weak gag.) From venues, agencies, organisations and individuals, Gay Men’s Health has received tremendous, unconditional love. (Gone too far, pull back, contemplate award, music blasts up, led off stage, weeping, fumble, stumble, finally collapse – legs akimbo.)
This Annual Report 2000/01 seeks to put across what we at Gay Men’s
health are all about; why we do, what we do, how we do. If you’ like
to get involved through volunteering, get in touch. Dressing up in dodgy
70’s TV show clobber isn’t compulsory GAY MEN’S HEALTH TEL: 0131-558 9444 High Heid Yin Workers in HIV prevention across the UK and Europe, often assume that the amount of work Gay Men’s Health does is by a huge organisation with hundreds of staff. They’re always amazed that we do so much with only four project workers, covering a wide geographical area across Lothian. Our workers are experts in their fields, but that’s not the only reason we’ve achieved so much on so little money with so few staff. There are two main reasons; the involvement of the local gay community with volunteers and our collaborative work with other organisations. This year we’ve set up a Remote Reporting Project with Lothian and Borders Police, continued to develop work for HIV positive gay men with Waverley Care/Solas. We’ve participated with a range of groups, from Switchboard and Lesbian Line to the Equality Network in an application for a Healthy Living Centre for the LGBT community. In the past year, most of our initiatives have been with other organisations. Our reputation as a leader in the field and an example of good practice has spread beyond the UK. This year we were contacted by Assistance 2000, based in Russia; looking for a UK partner to help set up a gay men’s HIV prevention project. With funding from the Department for International Development, a partnership has begun developing work in Yekaterinburg on the edge of Siberia. In the coming year we’d like to look at health issues beyond HIV, perhaps including alcohol and smoking. With an already busy workload, the only way to achieve this is by involving organisations expert in these fields, but who don’t focus on gay men. This approach to working means, as well as putting limited resources to good use, we’re encouraging other organisations to include gay men in their day to day work and health promotion strategies. It has been a tremendously successful year for Gay Men’s Health, but there’s a lot to do. Gay men continue to become infected with HIV at an alarming rate and are more disproportionately affected than any other group in Scotland. To further involve all parts of the community will help turn the rise in new infections. Together we can ensure gay men get the happy, healthy lives we deserve. Vital Stats. Yours Title Bruce Fraser, Manager, BA Dip S & D TQSE(Gold) Bunty Club Fave Place Disneyland Fave Song Anything by Chloda Rogers Top Totty Someone chunky and slighty overweight Fave Philisopher Winnie the Pooh Phrase to Live by “Never live your life by phrases” – which I don’t adhere to.
All seven of our counsellors are professionally trained and qualified. For the first time we’ve also offered a placement for a student counsellor to assist in developing their skills and experience. We’ve worked with different groups including Solas, Positive Help and Stonewall Youth Project on various projects. A needs assessment for gay and bisexual men with HIV, self-esteem workshops and sexuality awareness training, have all been undertaken. Over 50 counsellors from other agencies have been trained, including Edinburgh & Lothian Council on Alcohol, Pilton Health Project and Couple Counselling Lothian. Gay-affirmative therapy training was provided to counsellors in private practice throughout Lothian. Many other organisations invited us to provide workshops and learning opportunities. Amongst these; the Rivers Centre asked us to their group for men recovering from traumatic events. Training on fostering and adoption with same-sex couples was provided for Barnardos, Scottish Adoption Agency and social workers. The first ever national conference for counsellors and psychotherapists on working with LGBT clients, which we organised, was a big success. Over 50 people travelled from across the UK to attend and gave positive feedback. “Well presented, thorough and thought provoking.” “I had learnt so much more and a lot of really good questions” “Real insight which I could not have found anywhere else. Amazing” “First time I have been to a conference which is very alive, challenging and warm.” “Very good feelings about contacts with other gay/lesbian counsellors and delight and gratitude to Gay Men’s Health.”
Findings from MRC GMTF research suggest five per cent of men on the scene had used Gay Men’s health counselling service by 1999. Roughly half were under thirty. Over a third were over thirty-seven. Around a third were under twenty-five. Forty-five per cent thought the counselling was excellent while 33 per cent said it was good. Those counselled were more likely to be vaccinated against Hepatitis B and more likely to use GUM services. A needs assessment we undertook shows improvement in our services since 1999: more men have used counselling at GMH and reported higher satisfaction.
Expanding and developing new services for gay and bisexual men, providing opportunities to improve social and emotional health. Further expand our counselling service to cut down on waiting lists and times. Groupwork; including self development, support groups and social groups. Workshops on specific topics for gay and bisexual men; relationships, growing older, the scene, self-esteem etc. Training on listening skills, relationship skills, feeling confident in different situations and settings.
Your Title Craig Hutchison, Counselling and Support Worker Top Totty Brendan Fraser Fave Chat-up Line I’ve dropped something down my top, can you see it? Fave Place Manhattan Phrase to Live by Life is a mystery, everyone must stand alone. Scene Around Paul “Bianca!” Robertson keeps us up to date with all things scene. Over the last year we’ve distributed more than 114,000 condoms and 150,000 lube sachets to the venues: Planet Out, CC Blooms, No 18 Sauna, Town House Sauna, Stag & Turret, Hot Stuff, Blue Moon, LGB Centre and The Newtown Bar. Information materials produced include postcards on oral sex safety, GUM clinics and basic HIV facts. We’ve also distributed over 12,000 copies of GMH magazine to gay and mainstream venues across Edinburgh. We’d like to thank Edinburgh venues for supporting Gay Men’s Health. By displaying collecting cans, magazines, postcards and helping with events, we could not continue without the invaluable support from bar staff, managers and owners. Events Malebox at the Newtown and Planet Out
Yours Title Paul Robertson, Gay Venues Worker Fave Song True Love Never Dies by Flip & Fell Fave Philosopher Pluto (Mickey’s dog) Top Totty Adam Rickitt Who’d play you in a TV mini-series? Jude Law with Bianca ‘Eastenders’ voice
Colin “Hattie” Anderson gives the outreach lowdown on Lothian over the year. From 7th September 2000 until 31st July 2001 we’ve had 186 visits from local gay and bisexual men to the West Lothian Gay Men’s Group. Plans are afoot for groups in East and Midlothian. Along with West Lothian Drug & Alcohol Service, we’ve secured funding from West Lothian Sexual Health Promotion Groups to develop a community resource to support workers who want to engage with issues of homophobia, sexism, sexuality, self-esteem and peer pressure in a positive and constructive way. Gay Men’s Health has worked, in partnership with West Lothian Drug & Alcohol Service, to organise and run a groundbreaking conference in West Lothian on working with men in the community. Work is underway to carry out a programme of peer education within secondary schools in East Lothian. This is with Stonewall/Healthy Respect and East Lothian Council Education Services. A Workers Forum is in development in Midlothian for those who currently work in, and recognise the value of, single sex community based work. Borders Gay and Lesbian Switchboard received training on safer sex, blood borne viruses and cottaging and the law.
Yours Title Colin Anderson, Outreach Worker Starsign Aquarius Fave Ice-cream Praline & Cream Top Totty George Michael or Antonio Banderas. Both if poss. Who’d play you in a TV mini-series? Hattie Jaques Volunteer Muscle James “Leon” Whyte Mobilises the Troops – Synchronise Watches! Community Development is at the heart of Gay Men’s Health; as gay and bisexual men, we’re best placed to take control of issues which affect us and effect positive sustainable change. Uniting for a common cause, we’re confident that we really do make a difference for the better. Members of the gay community lead the organisation and carry our work forward. Sometimes called ‘Community Mobilisation’, this is an example of what can be achieved when we work together. Instead of paid staff sitting in an office deciding amongst themselves on what’s important, the charity works with ideas direct from the gay community. We’re also fortunate having many friends who, not necessarily being gay or even men, offer invaluable assistance as volunteers, professionals and allies. Gay Men’s Health’s greatest asset is the dedicated army of volunteers. With around fifty active volunteers, we compare favourably with similar organisations. Community diversity reflects within our volunteers, who are from different backgrounds, of different ages and abilities. A bunch of well meaning church coffee morning wannabe do-gooders? Not from where I’m standing! The volume, variety and professional standard of volunteer output regularly shocks those who experience it for the first time. Volunteers receive a high level of training and support from staff, external organisations and other experienced volunteers. This extra knowledge and skill can be applied to all areas of life; continuing the process of Community Mobilisation and Peer Education. As they don’t receive payment, it’s important volunteers get something back for their hard work. Volunteers gain experience, confidence, ownership or their work, friendship and also knowing what they’re doing benefits a great many people. It’s not all work either; we regularly hold parties and other social events. I’m pleased and proud to work alongside such extraordinary volunteers. Thank you to each and every one, both past and present. We’re about to enter our most exciting and challenging period yet. If you want to be a part of it, why not give us a call? Here’s just a few of the many roles volunteers currently fulfil: Outreach work in Gay bars and on the internet (Peer Education)
Your Title James Whyte, Community Development Star Sign Librarian Fave Chat-up Line Of course I love you. Now get your kit off. Top Totty Fran, Kelly (Stereophonics), Matt Damon Phrase to Live by Never Trust a morning person
Last updated 14th July 2004 © Copyright 2001-2004 Gay Men's Health - all rights reserved. Unless otherwise stated, the images and text on these pages are copyright Gay Men's Health and may not be reproduced without prior permission. |
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