Ilkley Pride & Diversity Group has announced it will be hosting a sexual health drop-in session at the Ilkley BID office on Tuesday 22nd October 2024.
Open from 1:30-4:30pm, the drop-in will include sexual health testing, advice, free contraceptives and PrEP referrals.
The pop-in clinic in Ilkley is supported by MESMAC, an independent group of community based sexual health and social wellbeing services and Locala Health & Wellbeing.
A spokesperson for Ilkley Pride & Diversity Group said: “We’re over the moon to be able to offer these vital services to the residents of Ilkley and Ben Rhydding as well as the wider Wharfedale area. For some people travelling to Leeds or Bradford to access sexual health services simply isn’t feasible so we’re glad we’re in a position to now offer the same services within Ilkley. It's taken a while for us to be able to reach this point so we’re incredibly thankful to everyone in the town who’s supported us. A special thanks must go to Ilkley BID for giving us access to their facilities as well as MESMAC and Locala for the vital role they play too.”
The idea of establishing a local drop-in sexual health clinic came about after the manager of a local business reached out to Ilkley Pride & Diversity Group to enquire if any such provision existed in the area. In the past similar services were available locally though the NHS but these days those in need must travel outside of Wharfedale for testing and in-person advice.
Last year saw an increase in STI diagnoses of almost 5% with young people aged 15–24, gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men most at risk. Despite this increase in diagnoses, current estimates suggest one in eight people with HIV in the UK don’t actually know they’re infected. The good news is getting tested is quick, completely free and confidential.
A spokesperson for MESMAC said: “It’s important to understand in the last thirty years the world of HIV has changed. In those days it used to be that the majority of those who contracted HIV would die but these days tests can be done in ten minutes and advancements in medicine mean that with one tablet a day those with HIV can lead lives as long as anyone else.”
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