Yorkshire MESMAC
Welcome to Yorkshire MESMAC's new re-designed website, we would like to extend our thanks for the kind donation received from Drag Idol, which made this re-design possible.
Yorkshire MESMAC is part of a group of services that, in addition to our core prevention work with Gay, Bisexual & MSM, includes the BLAST! Project that works with men and boys involved in/at risk of becoming involved in sexual exploitation; Begin and Our, social support projects for those living with or affected by HIV in Wakefield & Bradford respectively; a Mental Health & Well-being project working with LGB&T people in Bradford & Airedale; together with a number of LGB&T youth groups, Community Testing services and a Counselling service.
Each of these projects has a microsite of its own which can be visited by clicking the links above, or please use the links to the left to navigate around the main website.
If you have any news or upcoming events that you would like to display here, please email us with a short paragraph and we will give it due consideration. We also reserve the right to edit any material submitted.
Weekend HIV Testing in Wakefield
We all know how important it is to test regularly for HIV. The excellent treatments available can deliver a long healthy life and dramatically reduce the chances of you infecting others; but only if you test in time.
Yorkshire MESMAC’s commitment is to provide a Free, Fast, Flexible, Convenient and Confidential HIV testing service. We take a pin prick of blood and you get your results in just 20 minutes.
You can test by appointment Monday to Thursday (10am – 5pm) or for those of us working office hours what about Saturday 26th May (2pm-8pm) or Sunday 27th May (12pm – 3pm). Our monthly drop in will also be open as usual on Monday 28th May (10am – 6pm). We will be there to support you whatever the result!
To book an appointment or for more details on our ‘Testing Times’ services in Wakefield or throughout Yorkshire: click here.
LGB&T Pool Night to Launch in Wakefield
Following on from its popular LGB&T Sunday Lunch Club (held on the last Sunday of the month) and its Gay Men's Group (held on the second Wednesday in the month); Wakefield Gay Group (WaGG) in association with Yorkshire MESMAC and The New Union is to launch a monthly pool night to be held on the third Monday of each month. The night will be open to ALL members of the LGB&T community. We are particularly keen to encourage the participation of Lesbian and Trans individuals as they are often under-represented at social events. The pool table will be free of charge, compliments of The New Union.
Come and join us at The New Union in Wakefield on Monday 18th June 2012 at 8pm.
For further information or if you have any comments or suggestions, contact Michael Dolphin on 07749 449 047 or Mark Tyson on 07955 005 113.
Read more...New Yorkshire Know Your HIV Status Day launched!
A quarter of people living with HIV do not know that they have the virus. Knowing if you are HIV positive or negative enables you to make confident choices about your health and gain peace of mind. Yorkshire MESMAC is launching the first Yorkshire Know Your HIV Status Day on 7th June 2012 to encourage everyone living in Yorkshire to know their HIV status and get tested.
Read more...Your HIV Testing options in Leeds
Yorkshire MESMAC’s HIV testing service ‘Testing Times’ in Leeds has evolved from its roots as a popular Thursday evening drop-in session between 6-8pm to offering extra services such as the second Saturday of the month drop-in sessions 12-3pm and the As & When service where you call 0113 244 4209 for an appointment during the day.
Read more...
Leeds LGB&T Social Groups ready for YOU
One of the great features of the local Leeds LGB&T community is the variety of groups out there for you. For Gay men, there is the Leeds Gay Community which was founded in September 1982 and is the direct descendant of Gay groups which had been meeting since 1971. The LGC meets every Friday from 7.45pm – tel: 01132559973 or on www.leeds-gay-community.org.uk.
There is a Leeds Gay Men’s Group found online which arranges lots of fab activities such as hiking, pub meets, trips to concerts and more, you just register and then choose which event you would like to meet up with fellow members at www.meetup.com/LGMGroup.
Read more...New Dates for the LGB&T Advocacy Sessions
Advocacy for Mental Health and Yorkshire MESMAC team up to offer advocacy support to LGB&T people in Leeds.
Working in partnership with Yorkshire MESMAC this service will offer advocacy on a drop in basis at MESMAC’s Leeds office.
Advocacy is about supporting people to be heard, to understand their rights, to explore choices and to influence or challenge decisions being made about their lives.
Leeds LGB&T Equality Hubs need you!
Leeds City Council is looking for LGB&T people to have their say on the Equality Hubs. There is a LGB&T Hub which is consulted on how to improve council services for the LGB&T population in Leeds. If you are interested in being a LGB&T Hub Representative, here is all the information about how it works and more!
Read more...Trustees -Yorkshire MESMAC needs you!
Yorkshire MESMAC is looking for new trustees.
Do you want to make a difference to the lives of LGB&T people and people living with HIV in Yorkshire?
As a volunteer trustee you will help shape the vision and share responsibility for the direction and performance of the charity.
Testing Times in Bradford, Wakefield and North Yorkshire
Testing Times, Yorkshire MESMAC's award winning Community Testing service is now available in Bradford, Wakefield and North Yorkshire. This is where you can get an HIV test and Chlamydia & Gonorrhoea screening which is fast, confidential, flexible and free.
Each area will run a drop-in session once a month on the following days:
North Yorkshire - every 1st Monday of the month.
Bradford - every 3rd Tuesday of the month.
Wakefield - every last Monday of the month.
Outside of these times you can make an appointment during office hours. For further information, please contact your local office.