BASW Cymru took part in an event in north Wales aimed at raising awareness of HIV/AIDS earlier this month.
Timed to coincide with World AIDS Day on 1 December, the jointly hosted event heard speakers highlight facts about HIV and AIDS, as well as encouraging support for those living with HIV.
Speakers from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Foundation and the Terrence Higgins Trust Cymru emphasised the huge strides in treating people with HIV/AIDS but reminded attendees that there remains no known cure for the disease. Current estimates suggest there are 100,000 people in the UK living with HIV.
The fastest growing group of people with the disease in this country are now the over-50s. In 2009 there were three times as many heterosexual people infected with HIV in the UK than in 2001.
BASW Cymru’s chair Keith Drury was instrumental in orchestrating the occasion, and manager Robin Moulster was among those to address the event.
Held at the Catrin Finch Centre at Glyndwr University, Wrexham, the World AIDS Day gathering featured a two minute silence to remember those who have died of the disease.
World AIDS Day was first established in 1988 to raise awareness of the disease and its potential impact on the UK population.
Find out more about World AIDS Day