SHOCT Kernow intends to deliver quality HIV awareness and sexual health interventions to a range of target groups including those hard to reach. Through partnership working with existing agencies and organisations, linking to wider sector services and to the community itself; SHOCT Kernow hopes to embed a culture of peer and professional education and improve access to sexual health and HIV testing services for all.

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SHOCT Kernow understands that HIV and poor sexual health can affect anyone regardless of background, ethnicity, sexuality or gender.

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Stigma around one’s own or someone else’s perceived sexual health remains a constant within Cornwall. SHOCT Kernow aims to reduce this stigma by encouraging people to openly think about their own sexual health and that of others without judgement.

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SHOCT Kernow is focused on the principle that peer led interventions will enhance as well as complement existing sexual health and HIV service interventions. SHOCT Kernow believes that peer led interventions and training can empower members of the community and wider sector to become indirect facilitators of good sexual health and HIV prevention.

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SHOCT Kernow envisions its multi-method sexual health and HIV prevention interventions will:

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• Increase knowledge about the transmission, detection and treatment of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections within the community and wider sector utilizing a peer-led methodology embedded in all elements of its work including outreach, workshops, training, group and online work including the research, development and use of new technology.

 

This project will specifically target:

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• Gay men

• Bisexual men

• Men who have sex with men but who do not identify as gay (MSM)

• Professionals who work with and members of the wider LGBTQ community

 

The project aims to achieve the following individual outcomes:

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• Skills development for clinicians and care sector staff to improve signposting and referrals to HIV testing and sexual health screening and services

• Increased awareness and knowledge of HIV, sexual health, services and support mechanisms for members of the LGBTQ community including young people, men over 50, drug and alcohol users and MSM

• Enhanced self-management skills and techniques for people newly diagnosed with HIV or sexually transmitted infections

• Increased accessibility to support for people newly diagnosed with HIV

• Increased accessibility to information and support for people who may have been put at risk

• Reduction in stigma and social/rural isolation through the implementation of educational web based and printed media

• Management of risky behaviours and lifestyle through face to face and online holistic interventions

• Increased user involvement into the development and structure of services provided by SHOCT Kernow with ongoing liaison with partnership agencies and service users through evaluations, focus groups, online surveys and questionnaires