INTRODUCTION
EDDIE CARMICHAEL
CHAIR OF DIRECTORS
When I sat down to write this introduction for the Annual Report,
I looked at what had been written in previous years and saw that
there was a recurrent theme. My predecessors as Chair wrote about
changes, challenges and developments and also about building on
the foundation of core values and on work already well established
by both staff and volunteers. Of course, this is not a surprise.
The needs and circumstances of the community with which we work
and of which we are a part never stay static. Yet some themes and
issues, such as the continuing impact of HIV and the need for people
to have access to good information and to have opportunities to
empower themselves, continue to be absolutely a central part of
the landscape for all of us. So the continuing challenge for GMH
is always to find the best way to adapt and respond to those changing
demands and, at the same time, to hold on strongly to the core
values and the key issues.
What you will find in this report is a description of some of
the many ways over the past year in which staff, volunteers and
the board have risen to that challenge.
There have been significant changes already undertaken and there
are new developments coming over the horizon. At the core of all
of this is the conviction that people matter. A commitment to the
value of the person stays at the heart of what we try to do as
an organisation. It informs our commitment to involving and mobilising
our own community. It is the prime reason that we constantly try
to work in partnership not only with the community of gay men,
but with the wider community and with other professional organisations.
It is why we have a counselling and support service. It is why
we continue to be a presence in the bars and on the scene. It is
the driving force behind new initiatives to tackle stigma and discrimination.
I would like to give a heartfelt thank-you to all the people,
staff, volunteers and board members who have, in many different
ways, invested their time, energy, commitment and creativity. All
this turns into practical, valuable work to develop and enhance
the health and well being of gay men.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
BRUCE FRASER
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
The past year has seen a complete restructuring of GMH to ensure
it is ready to face the challenges that the changing health needs
of gay men bring. Change is never easy yet it is testimony to the
staff, directors and volunteers of Gay Men's Health that it was
all achieved smoothly without any disruption to existing services
and with enthusiasm from all involved in the organisation.
The visible changes are of course the new corporate image and
logo, but the real changes run much deeper than that. The new Project
Managers outline their departments in the following pages, and
will explain how their projects have developed and expanded.
This year we have also further developed work in Sverdlovsk Oblast
in Russia. The situation there remains critical with 300 new cases
of HIV a month. Our continuing work there demonstrates our commitment
as an organisation to work in partnership with organisations in
all sectors, voluntary, statutory and private, both abroad and
here in Scotland. It has shown that Gay Men's Health has deserved
its reputation to actually 'get things done'.
GMH has always been lucky in the staff it has had working for
it and this year has been no exception. We said goodbye to Colin
Anderson who has been sorely missed by his colleagues as well as
those in the myriad of agencies he developed partnership work with.
We have welcomed Steve O'Donnell as the new Testing Barriers Project
Manager and he has quickly become part of the busy team.
The year ahead is one of exciting developments for GMH. Our main
focus will be on partnership; working with specialist agencies
in the health field as well as ensuring that all new work undertaken
is evidence based. Our work in partnership with the many other
organisations in securing a Healthy Living Centre is a prime example
of what can be achieved when we work together. Gay Men's Health
will continue to be at the centre of all partnership work which
benefits the health of gay men in Scotland and beyond.
COUNSELLING & SUPPORT
CRAIG HUTCHISON
COUNSELLING & SUPPORT MANAGER
COUNSELLING SERVICES
It has been another successful year for the Gay Men's Health counselling services.
We have expanded considerably and now have ten counsellors working with us.
Eight of these counsellors have completed a professional qualification in counselling
and the other two are on student placement while completing their professional
Diploma. We will be looking to recruit more counsellors over the coming year.
We are conducting more client sessions than ever and now operate
from two counselling rooms, one based at Gay Men's Health and one
in another location. We offer counselling day or evening and have
now expanded to provide counselling at the weekends too. The counselling
service continues to be very busy and as a result we have to operate
a waiting list.
From this year we will be using a new system where clients will
automatically be offered an initial meeting with the Counselling
and Support Manager within two weeks of their first contact, This
initial meeting will look at whether the client would be best served
by Gay Men's Health as well as the appropriateness of waiting for
an appointment. Clients who are in desperate need can be referred
to other appropriate services or may be offered time-limited counselling
by the Counselling and Support Manager.
Below is a chart demonstrating the increase in the number of sessions
held. Please note that it excludes missed or cancelled sessions.
We have made an estimate for 2002 based on the current capacity
and levels of demand, although 398 sessions were attended by the
end of July.
1999 - 240 sessions
2000 - 492 sessions
2001 - 646 sessions
2002 - 723 sessions
This coming year will be a period of continued expansion and development. Plans
include the following:
? We have recently started using the CORE system, which provides
high-quality evaluation, audit and outcome benchmarking for psychological
therapy services.
? We will start to offer couple counselling to gay and bisexual men.
? We hope to recruit new counsellors so we can reduce the number of people
on the waiting list and minimise the length of time people have to wait for
sessions.
? We will put information on our counselling services, including photographs
and details of our counsellors, onto our website.
? We will be looking at the feasibility of offering family and group counselling.
Setting up a group for gay and bisexual men who have been raped, sexually assaulted
or abused is a high priority and we will run a group like this if there is
sufficient demand
MONUMENT TRUST
Funded by the Monument Trust and organised in collaboration with SOLAS, this
project is unique in that it has been designed, developed and produced entirely
by a group of gay and bisexual men living with HIV. Several consultation days
were held at which the rough idea was sketched out before a residential weekend
at which two facilitators (both gay men with HIV) assisted the group to plan
and develop a video project. The weekend also gave men the chance to meet,
talk about their experience of living with HIV and offer some peer support.
The group produced a video which will be given to gay and bisexual men newly
diagnosed with HIV by staff at the GUM and HIV counselling clinics in Edinburgh.
MENTAL HEALTH WEEK
This year we have been successful in securing funding for a small project to
take place during Mental Health Week. In collaboration with Stonewall Youth
Project we will be researching suicidal thoughts and behaviour amongst young
gay and bisexual men and will be running a small media campaign based on
this research.
TRAINING AND CONSULTANCY
As always our expertise has been in high demand and we have provided training
to a large number of agencies and individuals.
We are nationally recognised as leading experts in working with
men who have been raped, sexually assaulted or abused and as a
result training from Gay Men's Health on this subject is in high
demand. We have provided training on working with men in this situation
to branches of Victim Support throughout Scotland.
We have provided training on best practice when working with lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgendered people to many different groups.
These have included trainee counsellors, counsellors in private
practice, counsellors working within agencies, Lothian and Borders
Police, Edinburgh University Community Education students, professionals
in West Lothian, Positive Help volunteers and Waverley Care buddies.
We have also provided consultancy to a number of agencies on a
wide variety of topics, including: developing confidentiality policies
and procedures, developing counselling services and making services
more accessible to minority communities.
THANKS TO
The counselling team whose professionalism and commitment is greatly valued.
The counselling supervisors, who have worked with us and have supported our
development. The clients who have put their trust in us. All the men who
were involved in the Monument Trust project. David Cameron at SOLAS. Glen
House for allowing us to hold our residential weekend in such glamorous surroundings.
Simon de Voil and Sam at Stonewall Youth Project. Our funders: Lothian Health,
Monument Trust, Health Education Board of Scotland and West Lothian Council.
TESTING BARRIERS
STEVE O'DONNELL
TESTING BARRIERS PROJECT MANAGER
The Testing Barriers Project is a new piece of work funded by
NHS Lothian to tackle HIV stigma, prejudice and discrimination
on the commercial gay scene and other barriers which prevent gay
and bisexual men from undergoing HIV testing. Steve O'Donnell was
appointed Project Manager in May and work has begun on four key
areas of work.
BASE LINE RESEARCH
In partnership with Glasgow Caledonian University research is being carried
out on the commercial gay scene in Edinburgh targeting 300 gay men and focussing
on attitudes to HIV testing and experience of prejudice and discrimination.
The research will raise issues of stigma and discrimination with
gay men who use the scene and will serve as a base line for monitoring
and evaluating the work of the project.
INVOLVING VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers play a key role in the work of the project and are involved in the
base line research, peer education initiatives, training and support work.
A focus group of volunteers has been set up to consult on the initial priorities
of the project and to contribute to thinking about volunteer involvement.
Training is being provided for existing peer educators on the
effects of HIV stigma, prejudice and discrimination as peer education
will be one of the main approaches used in carrying out the work
of the project.
COMMERCIAL VENUES
Bar staff and regular customers of the gay venues are seen as having a unique
role in addressing issues of prejudice and discrimination on the gay scene
and training is being provided for those staff and customers on the effects
of HIV stigma on gay men's health.
Commercial venues have also been invited to take part in a weekend
event which would raise awareness of stigma and discrimination
as well as increase community involvement in tackling the issue.
THE LOTHIANS
Work has begun with the West Lothian Sexual Health Promotion Group on organising
a conference on Blood Borne Viruses for health, social service and voluntary
sector personnel. Work has also begun with the gay men's group in West Lothian
to identify and tackle particular barriers to testing experienced by men
who do not live in Edinburgh.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
"The reason I chose Gay Men's Health is that l completely
support your pro-active approach to education and support within
the gay community."
“I have used your services in the past so I know that you
are the kind of organisation I would like to be associated with.
I'd also like to give something back."
'I spoke to one of your volunteers on the (gay) scene and was
very impressed."
“I am aware how difficult it can be accessing support and
information on gay men’s issues, and would like to be involved
in making things different or easier for others."
This really has been quite a year for the Community Development Project at
Gay Men's Health. New volunteers of all different ages and backgrounds continue
to be attracted to the organisation, and of course, we're always very keen
to find out what influences people's decision to come and work with us.
The quotes above are just a few of the reasons given for volunteering,
which have been taken from interviews and application forms.
We currently have more volunteers actively working than ever before
(over 70), but our task is still far from simple. Gay men still
continue to be the group most disproportionately affected by HIV,
on top of a wealth of other health and social inequalities. Rather
than sitting around worrying, these same gay men come together
to do something about it. This, in a nutshell, is the true definition
of Community Development.
Not that you have to be gay or even a man to volunteer ... just
as long as you have dedication, a sense of humour and the ability
to think on your feet. Every single new person who gets involved
brings new skills, knowledge and abilities, and so Gay Men's Health
is constantly evolving.
There is also a huge range of different functions which volunteers
fulfil, and often these involve dealing with very real and gritty
situations. In balancing the challenge of these situations with
appropriate levels of training and support, volunteers are able
to make a real difference and still find their work rewarding and
fun.
If you think you're up to the challenge, why not give us a call?
EVENTS & RESOURCES
PAUL ROBERTSON
EVENTS & RESOURCES MANAGER
Over the last year Gay Men' Health has continued to work on the
commercial gay scene. The promotion of Gay Men's Health on the
scene is vital to the success of our overall work. It is essential
for us to be known and trusted by the gay community.
Through liaising with bar owners/staff and customers, advertising,
the distribution of informative materials and condoms and lubricant
we achieve a good relationship with gay men in Edinburgh and Lothian.
We use different methods of contacting men through the gay scene.
The Safer Sex Sailors, our own community magazine Core, safer sex
materials, advertising in magazines, posters, events and through
staff of venues.
Events that have taken place include participation in the Scottish
Gay Pride, a sauna event, two high profile launch parties for Core
Magazine, The Safer Sex Sailors, a quiz night and a Halloween Fundraiser.
In preparation for the change in our corporate image, we have
been working on a new poster campaign and two new resources. Through
a survey on the scene we carried out earlier this year, we identified
information on legal rights and enjoying gay sex were wanted by
gay men on the scene. These two new resources are soon to be released.
One of the most important aspects of Gay Men's Health's work is
condom distribution. We currently deliver condoms and lubricant
to 12 gay venues in Edinburgh. We have distributed around 150,000
sachets of lubricant and 135,000 condoms in the last year.
I would like to thank all of the venue staff and owners who have
worked with Gay Men's Health and supported our work over the last
year.
Habana
CC Blooms
The Claremont Bar
The Newtown Bar
Planet Out
Frenchies
The Laughing Duck
Blue Moon Cafe
Nexus
Out of the Blue
Number 18
The Town House Health Club
The Stag and Turret
CORE MAGAZINE
BRIAN HOUSTON
EDIT & DESIGN
CORE
Begun in February 2002, Core has developed, over a few short months,
into a monthly magazine widely available across Scotland.
The magazine format is an immediately recognisable means of instant
communication and is being used as an effective tool in furthering
the work of Gay Men's Health.
Starting where the previous GMH magazine left off, the aims and
objectives of Core were in place from the outset. The magazine,
written by a diverse range of volunteer contributors, raises the
profile of Gay Men's Health throughout the gay community and beyond.
Core covers all aspects of health and well-being, promotes a healthy
sex life and provides a point of contact for information and services.
It was also essential to avoid the 'dry, staid health pamphlet'
approach. Core endeavours to be a fun, accessible and chatty magazine.
Anyway, I could rattle on about the mag for ages. Here are a couple
of letters from the folk who matter.
To Core Magazine, I'm writing to say thank-you for such an honest,
yet at times very humorous magazine. Your staff of writers seem
to get straight to the point and not just generalise about issues
that affect us gay men on a day to day basis. It's as if your ears
are to the ground, you know the scene and the madness that comes
with it at times. I do have a good laugh reading the photo-strip,
but on a more serious note you seem to handle current issues with
such sensitivity, also the 'food for thought' bits are spot on.
Keep up the good work. Look forward to future issues.
All the best, Tee
Dear Core! Well done! gr8 mag, anything/everything to promote
sexual health matters in a fun but sensitive way can only b 4 the
best. I am a lesbian, mother of 3 incl. a I7 yr old gay son, info
is vital for all of us!
Keep up the good work
Luv Karen
INCOME & EXPENDITURE
ANN WRIGHT
ADMINISTRATOR
00/01 01/02
INCOME £209,905 £187,350
LOTHIAN HEALTH BOARD 75% 86%
GRANTS 20% 5%
MISCELLANEOUS 5% 9%
EXPENDITURE £171,494 £205,823
STAFF COSTS 69% 64%
OFFICE COSTS 16% 11%
OTHER STAFF / VOLUNTEER COSTS 4% 7%
EDUCATIONAL 8% 16%
PROFESSIONAL FEES 1% 1%
DEPRECIATION 2% 1%
SURPLUS FOR YEAR £38,411 (£18,473)
BALANCE SHEET
TOTAL NET ASSETS £105,483 £87,010
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