Open letter to the Pope from NAT and FPA

Irresponsible and discriminatory statements and teachings on sexuality, sexual health and well-being, are putting men and women’s health and lives in danger.

“Irresponsible and discriminatory statements and teachings on sexuality, sexual health and well-being, are putting men and women’s health and lives in danger,” say two of the UK’s leading charities FPA (Family Planning Association) and NAT (National AIDS Trust)  in an open letter about Pope Benedict XVI views on sexual health on the eve of his first visit to the UK.

The letter, which seeks to illustrate why the Pope’s views are so contrary to the most basic human sexual health rights, has been published and is available to view at www.fpa.org.uk. It is printed below. 

Visit to the UK of the Pope – an open letter from leading UK charities FPA and NAT (National AIDS Trust).

We are using the Pope's visit to the UK to highlight the discriminatory nature of his statements and teachings on sexuality and sexual health and wellbeing.
 

By teaching that modern contraception is ‘intrinsically evil’, the Catholic Church prevents women, including married women, from making choices about whether or not to have children, and how to plan and space their children. This leads to unwanted pregnancies, resulting in unwanted children, or abortion. Particularly in developing countries it also results in women being unable to limit the number of pregnancies during their lives, often leading to disability or premature death...

People living with HIV need better psychological support

Services for people living with HIV are not meeting their psychological needs, says a new report by NAT (National AIDS Trust).

The report Psychological support for people living with HIV shows a lack of adequate psychological support can have a severe impact on someone's health and well-being.  NAT says more must be done to give support to people with psychological needs – at present these needs are too often overlooked because of a tendency for people to focus only on physical health. 

Deborah Jack, Chief Executive of NAT, says:

“People can often find it difficult to come to terms with an HIV diagnosis and deal with the ongoing implications.  Psychological support can be as important for the health and well-being of someone living with HIV as going to the doctor or taking treatment.  This form of support can be the crucial difference between finding every day a struggle and feeling able to cope with and enjoy daily life.

Providing such psychological support is more cost-effective in the long-run as it means that people living with HIV can manage their condition, take treatment properly and stay healthy.  It is essential that, at this time of cuts, decisions are not made which may save money in the short-term but will increase the burden on the NHS in the long-run.”

Key findings from the report include:

·         Evidence of higher prevalence of psychological need amongst people living with HIV compared with the general population

·         HIV and mental health problems are both highly stigmatised often making people unwilling to speak out about their needs

·         Psychological needs of people living with HIV are not being met consistently by the NHS

·         Investing in psychological support for people with HIV will have significant benefits in the long-run for individual and public health

NAT joins forces with O2 and Gaydar

‘All Together Now’ Initiative from O2 and Gaydar, provides vital support to NAT.

O2 has joined forces with Gaydar to raise money for NAT’s vital policy and campaigns work. Every person who signs up to the new O2 tariff benefits from a three month Gaydar membership upgrade, whilst NAT receives a £5 donation. 

Customers can choose from a great Pay Monthly phone from just £15 a month or award-winning O2 home broadband from just £8 a month.  Staying in touch has never been so easy with unlimited access via the web, mobile and iPhone app. Plus, with their three month Gaydar upgrade customers can join millions of men on Gaydar.co.uk – the world’s busiest gay social and dating site. 

HIV is an issue which continues to affect the UK’s gay community with more than 2,400 new diagnoses last year. Combined, it is hoped that the £5 donations from O2 will make a big difference to NAT’s work to improve HIV education and prevention in the UK and ensure people living with HIV are diagnosed early, treated with respect, dignity and justice.

For more information on how to sign up to this initiative please visit: www.o2.co.uk/alltogethernow

Charity screening in aid of NAT

The last film of late actress Natasha Richardson, ‘The Wildest Dream’

An exclusive charity screening of Natasha Richardson’s last film, The Wildest Dream, will be hosted at the BFI IMAX on Tuesday 21 September. This will be held in memory of Natasha and in aid of NAT (National AIDS Trust) the charity that she was a passionate Ambassador of for over ten years until her tragic death in 2009. 

The Wildest Dream is a critically acclaimed feature film which follows the story of British adventurer George Mallory and his 1924 attempt to be the first to summit Mount Everest. The film is narrated by Natasha’s husband, Liam Neeson, and also features the voices of Ralph Fiennes, Hugh Dancy and Alan Rickman. Natasha plays Mallory’s beloved wife in the film.

The film has received fantastic media interest across the world and this is a great opportunity for guests to see it prior to its UK opening and to show their support for NAT - a charity which Natasha cared for deeply.

The screening will be followed by a black-tie reception at the IMAX cinema which will be attended by a number of high-profile guests, including...