A CHARITY is offering free at-home HIV testing to residents in Reading and Wokingham as it marks National HIV Testing Week.
Thames Valley Positive Support (TVPS) has announced the return of its home testing programme to encourage the public to know their HIV status and end transmission of the condition.
Residents will be able to order a free home testing kits from the charity, delivered in discreet, plain packaging.
National HIV Testing Week runs from February 5-11, raising awareness of the importance and accessibility of HIV testing.
TVPS is continuing to work towards the goal of zero HIV transmissions in the UK by 2030, a target supported by the government.
People can live with HIV for a long time without registering any symptoms, so tesing is the only way to be sure of your status.
Those with HIV can avoid passing the virus onto others by beginning treatment, and stay healthy.
Sarah Macadam, CEO of TVPS, said “It’s fantastic to have the support of Public Health once again, who are just as committed as we are to driving rates of HIV transmission to zero.
“Our campaign last year was really successful with home testing for HIV being extremely popular.”
She explained: “We’re all so used to testing at home since the pandemic, and we want to encourage even more people to make testing for HIV at home just as common place as covid testing”
“Rates of HIV testing dropped during covid and haven’t recovered since–anyone who has had unprotected sex should test either at a sexual health clinic or by ordering a home test, HIV is a manageable condition but a late diagnosis can have an impact on long term health outcomes.
“This is why we’re encouraging as many people as possible to test as its so important to their overall health.”
Free testing kits to use at home are available by emailing: test@tvps.org.uk, calling 0162 860 3400, or sending a Whatsapp message to 0772 728 9712.
