2007, A Year in Review

January

We'd recently settled into our new building in Whalley Range, Manchester.      

Starting as we mean to go on; our policies and procedures undergo a complete review.

BPNW establish a new energetic marketing and communications steering group with representation of staff, volunteers and service users.

February

Focus groups for the BBC Stephen Fry HIV and Me documentary take place at BPNW.

Stephen Fry agrees to become a patron of BPNW.  

BPNW establishes focus groups on HIV and stigma, to learn more about a model to empower people to speak out.  

March

Taster sessions including flower arranging and teach yourself massage begin on International Women’s Day.

Salman joins as our Data Administrator.

BPNW begins fast tracking people for HIV testing to North Manchester and Wythenshaw Hospitals.  

The redesigned BPNW website is launched.  

April

BPNW is visited by the Right Honourable Harriet Harman MP.

Funding for another 35 people to attend the Y- club at Castlefield for exercise and well-being is secured.

Our women living with HIV research project commences. 

May

Former UKC Positive Nation News Editor Martin Flynn visits BPNW for the Queer up North festival, alongside literary giant Edmund White.

MAC reviews previous year’s work relating to the development of the return home package for people who are not given leave to remain. 

Visit from our patron The Right Honourable Tony Lloyd MP.

June

Chief Executive Phil Greenham and volunteer Rosemary Okova present at June’s National HIV Nurses (NHIVNA) meeting in London on the work of the Positive Self Management Course on the differences between Western and Sub-Saharan Africa.

BPNW begin strengthening partnerships with the Royal College of Nursing, whose LGBT group start to meet at BPNW.

Counsellor Mary Watson starts providing an advice bureau at BPNW.

BPNW is reviewed by the Charity Commission.

Russell Fleet (MEDFASH) and Sue Russell (North Manchester General Hospital) deliver a workshop on HIV/hepatitis coinfection.

BPNW’s young people’s work supported by MAC AIDS Fund begins.

BPNW receives Community Legal Services Framework Charter for our advice services.

MEDFASH HIV Think Tank on HIV testing takes place at BPNW.

Partnership working with The WHIZZ club begins – young people begin using BPNW in holiday time.

July

BPNW continues to provide Expert Patient Programmes.

NHS management trainees undertake community garden challenge at BPNW, providing us with a beautiful garden.

BPNW achieves CPCAB accreditation for our training courses. 

Our volunteer Father Peter provides training to NACRO.

August

Will Hannah’s ESOL School continues to provide access to literacy and numeracy support at BPNW.

Investing in Volunteers work reaches second phase; visit from Investing in Volunteers Inspector.

Gay Men’s Safer Sex Workshop takes place.

Scott Haverstock visits BPNW from BP Arizona in the USA.

Pride preparations.

Information and Training Group convened at BPNW.

LGBT summit at Town Hall.

Helpline Training underway.

BPNW carry out survey at Pride about using voluntary sector services.

Literary giant James Herbert becomes a patron of BPNW.

September

1^st Baobab annual social dance with invited VIPs.

Partnership developments Manchester City Council and Youth Offending Team to expand preventative work with HIV positive mentors and Chief Executive’s Department reviewing Adult Social Services Workforce Planning related to Disability brief into independent living model.

Skills for care bid- BPNW Adult social services.

Two-and-a half day Effective Listening Training takes place  – 18 people attended led by Jan Mojsa.

Begin developing clinical services at BPNW- Rapid onsite HIV testing pilot.

October

Youth Group trip to Slavery Museum.

BPNW Annual General Meeting takes place.  

Gilead Sciences Limited's Putting Patients First campaign launched; three BPNW service users come out as HIV positive as part of the campaign.

Preparation begin with Lifeline and Manchester Drug Services to establish support to people with blood-borne viruses such as hepatitis B and C. (New Beeches Group).

BPNW take part in Black History Month.

Robert Fieldhouse presentsed at European Aids Clinical Society conference in Madrid on behalf of BPNW.  

November

New Beeches group begins.

Father Peter leads Peace Conference with Muslims.

BPNW begins closer working with Breakthrough UK & Manchester City Council.

Planning and co-ordination of World Aids Day Workshops underway.

BPNW continue to foster a large number of Positive Speakers.

World AIDS Quilt Day workshops begin at local libraries, youth clubs and voluntary sector agency.

December

Eight World AIDS Day Quilt workshops take place across the city.

Our Chair Suresh Vaghela addresses the World AIDS Day vigil in Sackville Park.

Invited dignitaries including Oldham’s Mayor and Gerald Kaufmann attend BPNW to hear a number of oral histories by people living with HIV.

BPNW Chair Suresh Vaghela addresses the World AIDS Day Service at Blackburn Cathedral. 

Overwhelming uptake for our Christmas Lunch. Four sittings needed!

Father Christmas attends the Children’s party at BPNW.