Project Community
Positive East’s Community programme for City & Hackney residents aims to empower ethnic minority communities aged 16+ to take control of their sexual health and wellbeing.
We work alongside community members and organisations to provide information and advice about the different ways you can prevent HIV & STIs, preventing unwanted pregnancy and how to access free sexual health services in the borough, including condoms, contraception, and PrEP.
Project Community aims to improve the sexual and reproductive health outcomes, particularly for Black African, Black Caribbean and other racially minoritised, and LGBTQ+ communities in City and Hackney.
We are doing this by:
- Learning! Our resources, workshops and information stalls give you the knowledge to take control of your sexual health
- We support you one-to-one, guiding you through referrals into sexual health services, and advocating for you along the way
- We connect with community members through workshops and talks
- Through community grants and skill sharing, we give back to the community to develop new initiatives to promote healthy romantic and sexual relationships
For more information about the Community programme please contact Euriza at hccommunity@positiveeast.org.uk.
Sexual health services in City & Hackney
You can access a wide range of local sexual health services on Homerton sexual health services. This includes information about contraception, local sexual health clinics (Clifden Centre, Ivy Centre, and 80 Leadenhall in the City of London), how to access services if you are aged under 17, as well as their offering around free PrEP treatment.
In addition, you can also access a range of support for your sexual and reproductive health, such as Emergency Hormonal Contraception (EHC), STI testing and treatment, and more, at your GP practice, or a local community pharmacy.
For more information on sexual health services in Hackney click here https://hackney.gov.uk/sexual-health
Free, quick and easy testing for HIV/STIs:
- At Positive East we have regular monthly testing clinics in City & Hackney at; Hackney Central Library, Dalston Superstore, Hackney CVS and Portsoken Community Centre.
- If you live in Hackney and you’re over 16, with no or mild STI symptoms you can also order a free kit to easily test yourself for STIs in the privacy of your own home through Sexual Health London.
Project Community needs you
Do you want to make a difference?
We are designed and led by the communities we support, so having you involved is crucial!
Volunteers are at the heart of what we do and play an important role in helping to address the sexual and reproductive health inequalities experienced by the communities we serve. Positive East will provide you with full training and all the support you’ll need to become an advocate for good sexual health.
Being part of Project Community is a great way to learn new skills, whilst making connections with new people in your community.
“I now feel more confident to talk openly about HIV and sexual health, helping to reduce inequalities in my community”
Are you an organisation in City & Hackney? Here is how you can get involved in Project Community!
Project Community works closely with community organisations and members to increase knowledge around sexual health, and support people in improving their sexual wellbeing. Our resources, workshops and information stalls give you and your services the knowledge to take control of your sexual health.
Workshops and Training
We offer free workshops for you and your service users focusing on different areas of sexual health, including STIs, HIV prevention and consent.
We can also offer HIV awareness and sexual health training to staff and volunteers at your organisation.
Get in touch with hccommunity@positiveeast.org.uk for more information
Community Grants
We have an exciting opportunity to help improve the sexual and reproductive health of Black African, Caribbean, and other ethnic minority groups in City & Hackney!
Small grants are available for local organisations to develop projects to help improve knowledge and access of local services around PrEP, HIV and STI screening and contraception. If this is something you are interested in please contact us at hccommunity@positiveeast.org.uk
Community Insight Groups
Join our Community Insight Group and have your say!
The purpose of the groups is to help with the development of new resources and initiatives to improve the sexual health of the community. We are currently looking for young people to join the following groups:
- Black African & Black Caribbean Communities (16 to 25)
- Black African & Black Caribbean Communities (25+)
Participants will be paid £50 each time they attend and actively contribute.
For more information about our Community and the Insight Group please send an email to: hccommunity@positiveeast.org.uk
Events and Information stalls
We can attend your event or service with a fun and informative stall, providing resources, advice and condoms.
Or want to plan an event with us? Get in touch!
If you would like us to be a part of your event please contact hccommunity@positiveeast.org.uk
Subscribe to our newsletter
Want to be kept up to date with sexual health information in your local area, and keep track of the work we are doing at Project Community?
Subscribe to our newsletter here
Order free contraception, condoms and lube
Get Free Contraception:
If you live in Hackney and are aged over 16, and would like to start using contraception or carry on with your current method, you can now order a range of contraceptives including the combined pill, mini pill and patches from Sexual Health London.
You can arrange for delivery to your home, or collection from a location. You’ll receive an online consultation and your request will be reviewed by a GP before it is prescribed.
You can also access different types of contraception from your GP or sexual health clinic: https://www.homerton.nhs.uk/contraception
For more information on different types of contraception click here.
Get Free Condoms and Lube:
When used correctly and consistently, condoms are an extremely effective method of preventing STIs, such as HIV, and avoiding unwanted pregnancies.
If you live in City & Hackney and are 25 years old and under, you can access free condoms and lubricant from a range of local venues through Young Hackney.
A list of outlets providing free condoms to under-25s can be accessed on the Young Hackney website.
You can also pick up free condoms and lube from Positive East’s testing clinics! This includes regular, king size and latex free condoms, as well as internal condoms
We want to hear about your stories and experiences of sexual and reproductive health!
Tell us about your experience of sexual health, contraception, periods or accessing a service
This is completely anonymous, but will be really helpful in shaping our work and meeting the community needs!