Sahir HouseMerseyside’s HIV Support,Prevention, Information& Training Centre

Annual ReportApril 2016 - March 2017

We can be really proud of another year of deliveringhigh quality services, while innovating to ensure newareas of unmet needs are addressed. In continuing towin major contracts and attracting funding to supportsome of the most excluded people in our region, thecharity can now look to the future for a period ofstability. I would like to thank the trustees for their hardwork over this period. I would also like to thank all thestaff for their work over the year in supporting theboard as well as the service users.

In the last year I have found it particularly pleasing toattend the rejuvenated Service User Forum which hasbeen very well attended. It is incredibly insightful tohear the direct feedback from the diverse groups ofpeople who benefit from services at Sahir House. Thetrustees have also gone through a period ofself-reflection over the past year and are implementingways of further improving the quality of governanceand board performance. This has led to therecruitment of new, diverse and highly skilled boardmembers, with whom I am very much looking forwardto working with in the future.

Chair of the Board of Trustees,Kevin Burgess

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Sahir House Trustees

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Sahir House halloween cake sale

Mac Cosmetics staff fundraising forSahir House

Supporting World AIDS DayPingwood Art Group

Night of the Decadescheque presentation

Quilts Display

Andrew Fekete, exhibition leaflets HIV positive, artist

The Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended31 March 2017 shown opposite is an extract from thecharity’s annual accounts and is not the charity's statutoryaccounts. The statutory accounts for the year ended 31March 2017 included an unqualified audit report and willbe delivered to the registrar.

Darren MellingTreasurer

Financial Statement &Treasurer’s Report

4Wirral Coastal Walk

IMPACT on Staff Development

“I am currently studying towards an AAT(Association of Accounting Technicians) Level 2

Certificate in Accounting this is an excellentopportunity provided by Sahir House, not only for my

own personal development but italso adds to the catalogue of in house skills and

expertise held bySahir House staff and managers.”Gillian Lewis, Office Administrator

SAHIR HOUSE COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2017

Unrestricted Restricted Total Totalfunds funds 2016 2015

Notes £ £ £ £Income from:Donations and legacies 18,828 - 18,828 15,776Charitable activities 236,562 218,224 454,786 521,557Other trading activities 27,395 - 27,395 19,482Investments 119 - 119 261Total income 282,904 218,224 501,128 557,076Expenditure on:Raising funds 3,027 - 3,027 2,920Charitable activities 243,691 225,805 469,496 519,044Total expenditure 302,388 219,576 521,964 633,421Net income/(expenditure) for the year/Net movement in funds 30,270 (1,655) 28,605 (58,124)Reconciliation of fundsFund balances at 1 April 2016 179,676 9,710 189,386 154,274Fund balances at 31 March 2017 209,946 8,045 217,991 189,386

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.The movement in funds detailed above complies with the requirements for a statement of changes in equity under FRS102.

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Another great year has come to a close! One in whichthe hard work, diligence and commitment of everyonehere has achieved successes that will help secure thefuture of Sahir House for years to come. In winning theWirral HIV Prevention and Support contract (in additionto last year securing our major Liverpool contract) weare able to plan for a more secure future. This came inaddition to recognition for Sahir House as one of the tenbest small health charities in the UK. In winning the GSKIMPACT Award, Sahir House fended off competitionfrom over 400 entrants.

Chief Executive Officer,Tommy McIlravey

The feedback from the awarding panel included thatSahir House:

● Has a really big impact for a charity of relatively smallsize and income

● Values its service users, volunteers and staff andinvests in their future

● Is a charity which is self-reflective and good atorganisational learning

● Is innovative particularly in addressing needs thatare not met by other organisations

I am so proud of everyone who has helped us achievethis: service users, volunteers, trustees, supporters andmy fellow staff. I want to thank you all, say well done andlook forward to another year of continuing success.

We have also benefited through the PilotlightProgramme which brings together senior leaders fromthe world of business to help charitieswith strategy and sustainability.This year long project hashelped us strengthenperformance in a range offields including governanceand financial viability.

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Sahir House delegation at the GSK IMPACT Awards

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Liverpool Pride March

Stigma has a harmful effect on people living with HIV andthe HIV epidemic. The impact on the physical and mentalwell-being of people living with HIV can be significant;experiences of direct discrimination are common andstigma is linked to poorer adherence to treatment andtreatment outcomes. HIV prevention is also dramaticallyhindered by stigma. Studies have linked stigma toincreased risk, non-disclosure and avoidance of healthservices, including those which may prevent mother tochild transmission of HIV. Stigma is also linked to fearand avoidance of HIV testing. Given the preventivebenefits of HIV treatment, the part that stigma plays as abarrier to accessing testing and care has an importantrole in driving the epidemic. Tackling stigma is vital toimproving the lives of people living with HIV and isintegral to tackling HIV.

www.nat.org.uk 2016 Tackling HIV Stigma

Changing Attitudes

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The University of Liverpool's Active Learning Lab

The use of media is crucial toaddressing HIV stigma as a way ofincreasing public exposure toinformation. Events like National HIVTesting Week help with Sahir Housereporting a 100% increase to its twitterprofile while promoting this in 2016.

Sahir House Training Serviceprovides the opportunity to explore theimpact of HIV and the related equalityissues. The training builds confidencefor participants to address the issuesof HIV and stigma and help promotebest practice to educate the widerpublic. The training develops skills tochallenge discrimination and signpostclients to testing services. During thisreporting year Sahir House delivered26 HIV awareness and stigmareduction training courses attended by443 participants from 138 agencies. Italso delivered 9 Equality and Diversitycourses to 100 participants.

“In relation to testing andpreconceptions about who gets HIV: -HIV does not discriminate, so neither

should we”Dr Mark Lawton, Clinical Lead and

Consultant in Sexual Health and HIV,Liverpool Centre for Sexual Health,Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen

Hospital University Trust

“With changing treatment models forshared care and care closer to home,this is a great opportunity for primarycare to learn more about HIV being

managed by GPs”Dr Mas Chaponda, HIV and Infectious

Diseases Consultant, Royal Liverpool &Broadgreen University Teaching Hospital

“I really enjoyed supporting thetraining as a positive speaker. I was wellsupported by the Development Manager

and it was great to be able to use myown experiences as a service user /

patient to give professionals an insightinto the realities of living with HIV

beyond the public health messages andstatistics and to positively influence their

attitudes and professional practice”Male, HIV Positive Speaker

What IMPACT do volunteershave on Sahir House?

“The Sahir House volunteerpositive speakers have a 100% rateof increasing understanding of HIV to

all training service participants. Their courage to share their life

experiences about living with HIV tohelp traineesʼ learning adds significantly

to understanding the motivations ofHIV testing, how it is to receive apositive result and how HIV has

affected life experiences such as family,relationships and work.

Their contribution to combating stigmais vital to putting the human face toHIV, helping change societal views

and bringing people up to date aboutthe amazing advancements in HIVmedication, as well as the need forcare and support for all members of

the community without fearof prejudice”Cath Turner,

Development Manager

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Sahir House HIV awareness and stigmareduction training pre and post courseparticipant feedback:

How confident do you feel in being able to challengeHIV related stigma?

Pre trainingNot Confident Confident Very Confident40% 49% 11%

Post trainingNot Confident Confident Very Confident1% 35% 64%

How confident do you feel to talk about HIV testingwith your client group?

Pre trainingNot Confident Confident Very Confident61% 34% 5%

Post trainingNot Confident Confident Very Confident1% 49% 50%

Describe your awareness of where to signpost peopleto local HIV testing services?

Pre trainingNot Aware Aware Very Aware57% 34% 9%

Post trainingNot Aware Aware Very Aware1% 37% 62%

How would you describe your awareness of HIV andsafer sex?

Pre trainingNot Aware Aware Very Aware9% 71% 20%

Post trainingNot Aware Aware Very Aware0% 20% 80%

Has the training helped to reduce HIV related stigma? Yes: 98%

Would you recommend this training to acolleague/agency?Yes: 99.8%

Jo Lightwood, Kev Burgess, Peter Fekete, Jonathan Blake& Cath Turner at World AIDS Day film event

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Has the course helped reduce HIVrelated stigma?

“This training course has now putHIV on top of the agenda again for

me. My knowledge and understandinghas increased which I will be using

and sharing with colleaguesand clients.”

Knowsley health professional

What was effective about thepositive speakers?

“The guest speakerʼs personalexperiences made the topic more

relatable and made me aware that HIVcan affect anyone.”

Liverpool social care professional

How useful was this training for theirjob and workplace?

“Medics can be ‘robotic’ at timesand follow guidelines. We need to see

the people behind the illness.Very useful, in practice I will comein contact with people who are HIVpositive and it is important to allow

them to feel free and safewithout fear of stigma and

to feel supported.”University of Liverpool, School of

Medicine student

What was most useful about the HIVawareness & stigma reductiontraining course?

“Taking away the stigmaassociated with HIV. The rightinformation about HIV, testing

and medication.Itʼs not a death sentence.”

Wirral drug and alcoholprofessional

Sahir House worked in partnership withNational AIDS Trust to deliver HIV andthe Law training to Merseyside Police.This was well received with 100% ofparticipants saying they wouldrecommend this training. Despite atough funding environment MerseysidePolice have taken a really positivedecision to address levels ofunderstanding across the workforce.Officers now report a better awarenessof the virus, routes of transmission,testing sites and issues related to HIVand the law.

“CPS guidelines on points to provefor prosecution were very relevant.Good presentation backed up withlearning via case study includingwhat evidence is required. I had

limited prior understanding, especiallyin relation to the law.”

Merseyside Police Officer

ChiefConstable Cook

Informationstand

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“I recently talked to a group ofhealth & social care workers fromthe Knowsley area which is whereI am from. One of the comments Ireceived was about how effectiveit was listening to someone fromthe local area but was I worried

I may be recognised?The answer was no! Itʼs more

important to me that you recogniseHIV exists in your local community

and is not confined to certainareas or different groups of people.

HIV in Knowsley?Yes and Iʼm what it looks like”HIV positive speaker, Knowsley

Changing attitudes with youngpeople

1551 young people receivedinformation about Sahir House and HIV.Wirral Grammar School for Boysregularly invite Sahir House to talk totheir students. This year we asked themto evaluate the session, of the 93 formsreturned:

96% agreed they learned somethingnew from the session

95% agree they can use what theylearned in the session in their life

Student comments:“Very memorable”

“Thanks, great speaker” “You’re still at risk of HIV whether

gay or straight”

Sahir House and Brook at Wirral Grammar Boys School

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Reducing HIV transmissionTo achieve this means we need to change behaviourand attitudes. To do that we need a variety ofcommunication channels to circulate messages to getpeople to engage. Two main campaigns that Sahir Housesupported throughout the year is World AIDS Day andNational HIV Testing week.

Campaign report can be found on the website:http://www.sahir.org.uk/what-we-do/health-promotion-services/world-aids-day/

Improving Lives255 HIV positive people were supported by Sahir Houseand 6605 unique contacts were recorded with serviceusers during the reporting year.

76 clients accessed the counselling and psychotherapyservice which is 30% of Sahir House service users.

755 counselling sessions were utilised and manypre-therapy sessions offered.

“I have received a wide variety of support thisyear from counselling to benefit advice, from cookery

courses to being a HIV positive speaker as partof the HIV awareness training Sahir House delivers.

My confidence and self-esteem has massivelyimproved, to the point where I have just movedinto my own home. I canʼt thank Sahir House

enough for all the support in getting me towhere I am today.”Male, HIV positive

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275 outreach appointments wereprovided to 53 clients which is 21% ofSahir House service users.

“Our HIV clinic benefits greatlyby having Sahir House staff onsite.The client referral process is a lot

smoother as our patients can oftenget help, support and advice on

the day they attend for theirregular check- up.”

Diane ComberClinical Nurse Manager, HIV/SexualHealth Wirral, Arrowe Park Hospital

200 welfare rights advice appointmentswere offered by Liverpool Association ofDisable People (LAD).31 clients accessed a range of well-beingactivities, which is 12% of Sahir Houseservice users.

“I have very limited mobility somedays but always try and make theweekly yoga session, the monthly

walking group and pain managementsession at Sahir House. It is really

helpful to me to be with people whounderstand I might feel differently ondifferent days with different energy

levels. The walking group explores thecity and I have been introduced to newideas and new museums I didnʼt knowbefore which expands my horizons of

things I can do when I am able to.Taking me outside of the four walls ofmy flat lifts my spirits and helps breakthrough my isolation, I can go for longperiods of time without seeing anyone.I am very grateful for all these activities

and that I can just attend when I amwell enough. I look forward to each

of them although I canʼt alwaysmake all of them.”HIV positive male

34 clients accessed peer supportwhich is 13% of Sahir House serviceusers.

“I have been taking HIV medicationfor 5 years with no complications.I take 1 tablet per day; it feels likeIʼm taking a daily vitamin! I get a

couple of side effects from thetablets which has made me look

after myself much more than I haveever done. In fact, since being

diagnosed I feel healthier and morepositive than I ever have.”

HIV positive female, 56 years old,diagnosed 13 years ago

44 clients accessed asylum supportwhich is 17 % of Sahir House serviceusers.

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The Big Lottery Working Together Project providesprogrammes focusing on capability and skillsdevelopment which are made possible by the successfulpartnerships with local organisations in the field ofeducation.

37 clients from Sahir House have accessed 11 coursesduring this reporting year.

17 clients accessed functional skills with 100% pass rate.

“I started to attend functional skills when I wasgranted leave to remain in the UK. I got level 2 in

both Maths and English. I am now completing a 10week employment programme and on work placement.

Passing functional skills gave me the confidence toapply for a place on the programme and work

placement and I have had several jobinterviews already.”

HIV positive service user

15 clients have received one to one support froma volunteer skills coach. Skills coaches offer supportwith CV writing, job search, social media skills, IT,English and maths.

Developing People Volunteering

During this reporting year Sahir House managed 67volunteers of which 20 were HIV positive and 4 affectedfamily members. Sahir House recruited 17 new volunteersthis year. Whilst there has been limited capacity to recruitand manage volunteers, Sahir House providesmeaningful opportunities to volunteer. Ongoing trainingand support enables volunteers to keep abreast of currentissues and travel expenses allows equal access tobecome a volunteer and make a positive difference to thelocal HIV community.

Placement Students from Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine

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What IMPACT do volunteers haveon Sahir House?

“The volunteers involved inthe Employability Project are

completely invaluable. Their impacthas provided consistent, reliable,dedicated and committed supportin developing confidence and skills

in our service users.”Pam Smith

Employability Project Worker

This year, Sahir House volunteershave provided approximately 5918hours equating to £65,098, using theaverage hourly median wage of £11.This equates to 3 full time paid staff.The volunteers contribute towards thecare and support of people living withHIV, disseminating HIV information tothe public, providing a warm receptionfor visitors and coaching HIV positiveservice users to enhance their IT andjob search skills. HIV positivevolunteers are essential in theprovision of peer mentoring supportand being part of the positive guestspeakers team when delivering

training and education to the public.Volunteers are integral in thefundraising efforts that generatesunrestricted income enabling SahirHouse to target funds to areas mostneeded. Sahir House is always keen todevelop capacity and funds forvolunteering and welcome interestfrom all sections of the community.

What IMPACT do volunteers haveon Sahir House?

“Our reception volunteers providean essential source of help andassistance to the staff team andservice users. As the first pointof contact to the organisation

they provide a warm and friendlywelcome which has a huge impact

on what first impression peoplehave of the organisation. We value

our reception volunteers andappreciate all of their support andthe contribution they make towards

the running of the service.”Gillian Lewis

Office Administrator

Patron, Jonathan Harveywith Sahir House Volunteer

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Trans Health Merseyside (THM)

This is a partnership led by In-Trust Merseyside, (deliveredby Sahir House) by those and for those who identify astranssexual, transgender, intersex and gendernon-confirming. THM engages with Merseyside’s Transnetworks by providing peer mentoring, health and wellbeinginformation, support with employability issues and supportfor victims of transphobic hate incidents. The wellbeing armof the project hosted partnership organisations to the groupaddressing health inequality, job opportunity, sexual healthand health screenings and other ways to wellbeing.

What IMPACT do volunteers have on theTrans Health Merseyside project?

“How do our volunteer peer mentors have a positiveimpact? A welcome from someone who may have

walked in one’s shoes or shared the same path is reallyhelpful in enabling new people to engage in services.

A peer will navigate and signpost, encourage and empowerso that the service user starts to build confidence inthemselves and understanding of how they may get

help with specific needs.”Kathleen Charters

Trans Health Merseyside Project Worker

Building Capacity

Interchange

Sahir House hosted 3 Interchange students who use theirdissertation to research social issues. A PhD studentresearched LGBT and asylum issues having positivedevelopment and the creation of a new support group throughidentifying the need.

Sahir House hosted 2 undergraduate students whoconducted research on “Evaluating The Impact of HIV TestingCampaigns on Heterosexual Men within the Merseyside area”and “HIV, Sahir House and Social Media”. These researchopportunities enable Sahir House to evaluate areas of interestthat help with future funding and capacity development.

The UK AIDS Memorial Quilt

Sahir House is proud to be part of thecoalition of charities that are workingtogether to conserve and promoteawareness of the UK AIDS MemorialQuilts.

Hundreds of individuals made quiltpanels in memory of loved ones whohad died from AIDS in the 1980s and1990s, inspired by a global project thatstarted in the USA.

Sahir House works together withGeorge House Trust, Terrence HigginsTrust, Positive East, The Food Chainand Positively UK to organise the safestorage of the quilts and createopportunities for panels to be displayedas part of learning and engagementevents. With support from Elton John AIDS Foundation and Gilead, the UK quilt panels went on display at St Paul’sCathedral in London on 23 November,ahead of the AIDS Quilt Trail which tookplace across London on the weekend of3 and 4 December, where people couldsee the quilts, free of charge, at a rangeof community venues.

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Quilts display at St Paulʼs Cathedral

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Community fundraising engages individuals and communitiesto support Sahir House. Over this financial year Sahir Househave raised £15,500 through a wide range of activities: cakesales, sponsored walks, bag packs, collection tins, donationsfrom local trade unions, general public and regular donors.

One major fundraising event this year was the ‘Celebrationof Life 16’ music event. Thomas Lang and Jennifer John,established musicians from Liverpool and Sahir HousePatrons brought together an eclectic mix of Merseymusicians and sponsors for this event. The evening washosted by Liverpool born poet, director, actor and authorGerry Potter who introduced an impressive list of artists:Tommy Scott from Space with guests, award winning Senseof Sound Singers with Mersey Wylie and one of the UK’sbest blues singers, Connie Lush! This night alone raisedover £7000.

Community Fundraising

In addition to the £15,500 raised via community fundraisingSahir House also received over £5000 from Options forSupported Living. Options selected Sahir House as theirnominated charity and over the past 2 years have continuouslyraised funds from a variety of events involving their clients.

Sahir House would like to thank the regular donors whocontribute on a monthly basis to Sahir House and without theircontinuing financial support could not provide essentials forservice users such as the food bank, toiletries and travelassistance.

Options for Supported Living cheque presentation

What IMPACT do volunteers have on Sahir House?

“Volunteers have a massive impact on raising awareness of Sahir House and HIV.

From staffing stalls, carrying out fundraising collectionsand giving out thousands of red ribbons, their time and

effort is greatly appreciated.”Serena Cavanagh

Health Promotion Lead

Acknowledging those we have lost to HIV – we wear the red ribbon to remember

Sahir House has helped many individuals and their familiesduring times of loss. To remember and be inspired bypeople who have died of an HIV related death, is animportant part of the support Sahir House offers. The

counselling and psychotherapy team provide bereavementcounselling creating space to grieve and time to heal. Lost

loved ones are remembered through the annual WorldAIDS Day event held every year on December 1st. Sahir

House can include people on the remembrance list in waysthat protect an individual’s confidentiality. If you have lostsomeone close to you through HIV then you can contact

Sahir House for more information and support.

Radio Merseyside interveiw

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Up for Arts Choir supporting World AIDS Day

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Commissioners and fundersApril 2016 – March 2017Comic ReliefEleanor Rathbone TrustHalton Borough Council Public HealthJohn Moores FoundationKnowsley Metropolitan Borough Council Public HealthLiverpool Clinical Commissioning GroupLiverpool City Council Public HealthMAC AIDS FoundationSefton Metropolitan Borough Council Public HealthSt Helens Metropolitan Borough Council Public HealthThe Big Lottery Reaching Communities FundWirral Metropolitan Borough Council Public HealthWirral Supporting People

DonorsBarclays Ellesmere Port SoroptimistsKings Fund – GSK Impact AwardLiverpool LGBT ChoirMerseyside Police LGBT NetworkMersey TravelOptions for Supported Living Peter Kavanagh’s Public HouseSouthport Rotary ClubAll individual donors

Acknowledgements and thanks to:All Sahir House service users, volunteers, trustees, student social workers,research students and staff.

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PartnershipsArrowe Park Hospital Trust GUM DepartmentAsylum LinkBBC Radio MerseysideBody Positive Cheshire and North WalesEdge Hill University Department of Social WorkGeorge House TrustHope University Department of Public Healthand Social WorkHR DepartmentIn Trust MerseysideInvestors in PeopleJackson and Cantor SolicitorsJohn Moore’s University Department of Public Health,Social Work DepartmentLiverpool Adult Learning ServiceLiverpool Association of Disabled PeopleLiverpool Charity and Voluntary ServicesLiverpool Community Health HIV Specialist NurseTeamLiverpool Community Health Armistead CentreInterchange, University of Liverpool Merseyside ICT Pilotlight, Pilotlighters:

Ann Cottis, Fiona Ryder,Jason StowRichard Ellis

Refugee ActionRiverside Housing Homeless Prevention and Dis-persed Tenancy TeamRoyal Liverpool and Broadgreen University HospitalTrust GUM and Infectious Diseases UnitSefton Volunteer CentreSouthport and Ormskirk Hospital Trust GUMDepartmentSt Helens and Knowsley NHS Trust Sexual HealthClinicTenders UKUniversity of Liverpool Engineering DepartmentUniversity of Liverpool Law Clinic University of Liverpool Guild of StudentsVolunteer Centre LiverpoolWaves of HopeWEAWirral Metropolitan CollegeUp For Arts Community Choir

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sahirhouse

@sahirhouse

Sahir HouseMerseyside’s HIV Support,

Prevention, Information& Training Centre

2nd Floor - 151 Dale StreetLiverpool L2 2AH

Tel: 0151 237 3989Email: info@sahir.uk.com

web: www.sahir.org.uk