Hidden Voices...Speak Out!
Published: 20/11/08
From the Wirral? Older and LGBT? Over 50 and HIV?
Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) and Age Concern Wirral are inviting members of Wirral’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community and people living with HIV aged 50 and over to come forward and take part in a new and exciting project called Hidden Voices.
THT and Age Concern Wirral are holding a series of focus groups to learn about people’s experiences as an older member of the LGBT community, as well as the experiences of people living with HIV. The focus groups will allow both organisations to find out what sort of services people in the community need. Dates for the focus groups will be in the New Year but people are invited to register now.
Four separate confidential focus groups will take place for gay and bisexual men, lesbian and bisexual women, transgender people and people living with HIV.
Ewan Jenkins, Regional Manager for Terrence Higgins Trust in the Wirral said: “The needs of 
the people we are inviting to participate in Hidden Voices are often overlooked. Our experience at Terrence Higgins Trust shows that some older people living with HIV may not have made provision for later life. We’re holding these focus groups because we want to hear what people need so we can plan quality services and influence others to do the same."
Jamie Anderson, Senior Manager for Support Services at Age Concern Wirral said: “Lesbians and gay men were hidden in society for many years, and older lesbians and gay men are likely to have experienced significant discrimination throughout their lifetime as a result. Add this to the discrimination experienced by many older people and the result is a heavily marginalised group of people, who remain unheard and underserved by services. Hidden Voices is an opportunity to begin to change that.”
All focus groups are completely confidential, will run in the early evening and out of pocket travel expenses will be reimbursed. To find out more about dates and times, or to register to take part in Hidden Voices, please contact Jamie Anderson on 0151 666 2220 or click here.
