Positive Life – Sexual Health Education Is Key to Reducing HIV Diagnoses Chief Executive, Jacquie Richardson speaks on campaigning to create a positive sex culture and empowering those living with and affected by HIV. Positive Life is Northern Ireland’s only dedicated charity providing support for those living with and affected by HIV. It promotes positive living, prevents isolation, and offers practical and emotional support for individuals and families including partners and young children. Positive Life has been making a difference to the quality of people’s lives for over 25 years but Chief Executive, Jacquie Richardson believes that more can be done in Northern Ireland starting with creating a safer sex culture that allows people to embrace a positive attitude towards sex, challenge mythbusting around STIs and empower those living with and affected by HIV to live long, fulfilled lives. Jacquie explains: “At present, attitudes towards sex in Northern Ireland are still taboo and there’s stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding HIV. We have no need to be embarrassed about our sexual health and wellbeing. We should be encouraged and empowered to be in charge of it. At present, there are 1, 234 people living with HIV in Northern Ireland and until there’s a shift in attitudes our service users will continue to experience feelings of isolation due to their HIV status.” Positive Life is actively campaigning for a dedicated Sexual Health Strategy to transform Northern Ireland’s future and ensure it becomes a place where being responsible for looking after your sexual health is as routine as looking after your dental health and is something that’s openly discussed. “Educating more people on sexual health is the key to removing prejudice and stigma across Northern Ireland and this progress will lead to a reduction in new diagnosis... We’re actively campaigning alongside other organisations for a strategy that includes a standardised and mandatory Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) curriculum. As it stands each school develops its own RSE policy. Every young person deserves to understand sexual health and wellbeing and the important issues therein like puberty, consent, contraception and testing,” adds Jacquie. Earlier this year, Positive Life launched the Northern Buyer’s Club, a new corporate partnership that will see the charity working with business leaders and supporting organisations to support its long-term strategic ambitions. Through its launch, Positive Life plan to commission new research, projects and a focused education campaign, and they’re currently looking for new businesses to get involved and help support those living with or affected by HIV. Jacquie continued: “The work that we do is vital to those who access our support. Our hope is that our services can prevent isolation and build a safe space for people to build that all important human connection. Sometimes it’s to discuss the challenges faced living with or being affected by HIV, but often it’s to call in for a cup of tea and a bit of craic.”
Northern Ireland’s only HIV charity 20 Derryvolgie Avenue, Belfast, BT9 6FN Confidential Helpline 0800137437
For more information on Positive Life’s work and role in Northern Ireland visit positivelifeni.com.
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