A KEY South West sexual health organisation has received thousands of pounds to trial new ways to improve sexual health and HIV outcomes as part of work carried out by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) to raise awareness of sexual health risks in the LGBTQ+ community.

The Eddystone Trust in South West was awarded £7,500 for work in Devon, Cornwall, Plymouth, Torbay, Somerset and Gloucestershire to engage directly with LGBTQ+ individuals to equip people to deliver informal interventions and provide safer sex resources on sexual health, HIV and monkeypox.

James Mead, development lead for prevention at The Eddystone Trust said: ‘We are extremely delighted to have been awarded this money. We recognise the importance of volunteers within the community and the role they play in advocating for the LGBTQ+ community.

‘This project will equip individuals with the confidence needed to start conversations around sexual health, and the knowledge and skills to deliver effective sexual health interventions.’