George House Trust is working on a new project which will empower people over the age of 55 to live confidently with HIV in Greater Manchester.

Launching 21 June 2021, the Age+ project will provide services including social networking opportunities, skills-based training sessions, new volunteering opportunities and one-to-one support.

Another key element of the project will be the delivery of HIV training and awareness sessions to residential care homes, social care providers and other organisations in contact with, or supporting, older people. This will increase knowledge and understanding of living and ageing with HIV.

Funding for the project was provided by ViiV Healthcare, a global specialist HIV company. Sylvia Nicholson, Policy Director at ViiV Healthcare UK said: We are delighted to be able to support this project provided by George House Trust, to better serve an important group of people living with HIV, with evolving needs, in Greater Manchester”

Darren Knight, George House Trust’s Chief Executive, said: “This funding from ViiV means that we can do more work with people ageing with HIV, building their confidence, skills, reducing loneliness and tackling the stigma and discrimination that still exists for people living with HIV. As part of this project, we’ll also be working with care homes and social care providers, and developing our essential work in raising awareness of HIV amongst staff in those settings which will improve the experience of people in care living with HIV.”

People who are living with HIV who are over the age of 55 and representatives from care homes and social care providers, should contact Anna Hughes onanna@ght.org.uk or 0161 546 3540 for more information on how to get involved.