National HIV Testing Week 2024

It's that time of year again! National HIV Testing Week is back from Monday 5th February, and organisations are calling on people across the country to get tested and spread the word.

Read More

Latest News

The latest news from Yorkshire MESMAC.

PrEP Awareness Week 2023 - Get PrEPared

Posted by Erin Marsh

Everyone deserves the ability to access to accurate, engaging sexual health information. This PrEP Awareness Week, Yorkshire MESMAC is excited to announce the launch of a new project providing basic PrEP information in a range...

Fast Track Cities Leeds Community Grants

Posted by Lauren Wigmore

Leeds City Council, BHA and MESMAC are working in partnership to oversee a Fast Track Cities community grants programme of around £18,000. This will be used to award micro grants to community groups with or at r...

Introduction to MESMAC blog – A Message on Equity, Pride and Hope

Posted by Erin Marsh

We're starting a new blog spearheaded by Rotherham volunteer Bee! Check out this introductory post for more info about the future of the blog, Bee and what we've been up to in Rotherham and across...

Meet our new Peer Support Worker, Afrika!

Posted by Erin Marsh

It's Mental Health Awareness Week - and what better time to say hello to our new mental health peer support worker Afrika! They're working as part of the Community Mental Health Transformation Project operating across...

Seeking Expressions of Interest from Counsellors

Posted by Erin Marsh

We are looking to expand our pool of counsellors operating out of Leeds and remotely. Are you a counsellor... in private practice or self-employedregistered with an appropriate professional body (eg BACP)with your own professional...

Improving Trans+ Healthcare

Posted by Jamie Simmons

We have worked with local Trans+ folk to co- produce a new video aimed at healthcare professionals to help improve Trans+ healthcare and the care experience. In the video, people share their real life experiences...

New city wide sexual health improvement service launched in Leeds

Posted by Erin Marsh

A new city-wide sexual health improvement service has launched, uniting HIV prevention and sexual health promotion services for the most at risk groups across Leeds. The new service, commissioned by Leeds City Council, will expand...

National HIV Testing Week 2022

Posted by Jamie Simmons

National HIV Testing Week is back! From Monday 7 February, organisations across the country are calling on people across the country to ‘give HIV the finger’!

Yorkshire HIV Testing Week 2021

Posted by Jess Wynn

We are so excited to announce that the first ever Yorkshire HIV Testing Week will take place 22nd-27th November 2021!

Wakefield HIV Prevention and Support Services

Posted by Jamie Simmons

After over 25 years of service delivery, working alongside communities across the district. Yorkshire MESMAC will be closing its Wakefield service on 30th September 2021.

Open letter opposing the Nordic Model

Posted by Jess Wynn

Yorkshire MESMAC has signed an open letter asking UK MPs to stand up against continuing attempts to introduce Nordic model legislation (criminalising the purchase of sex) into Parliament.

Staff blog - Mark Tyson

Posted by Rosie Ellingham

So many of us are finding we have a little extra time on our hands at the moment.  And given that it’s the third lockdown in the space of 12 months, I don’t know...

Reasons to leave during lockdown

Posted by Jess Wynn

Remember that you can leave your home if you are experiencing domestic abuse.

Service user survey

Posted by Jess Wynn

2020 has seen a lot of changes to the way that we work! If you've used our services over the past year, we'd really love to hear your thoughts!

In response to the BBC ban on staff attending Pride events.

Posted by Rosie Ellingham

A message from our CEO: "As an organisation that has helped establish, and supports, many LGBT+ Prides across Yorkshire, MESMAC are saddened and by the proposed, unfair, unworkable and potentially unlawful ban on staff...

Cruising Site incidents

Posted by Rosie Ellingham

It has been brought to our attention that there have been several incidents across numerous cruising sites around Yorkshire, involving men using the sites. We are aware that some of these incidents have been reported...

HIV and Sexual Health Manifesto

Posted by Rosie Ellingham

Join us in asking local candidates to pledge their support for action on HIV and sexual health. The general election is a crucial opportunity to raise the profile of HIV and the need to address...

Do you trade or sell sex?

Posted by Mark Tyson

People of all genders and sexualities are welcome to attend our free drop in session in Wakefield on the last Friday of each month 1pm-3pm.  Drop in for a bite to eat and...

PrEP use survey

Posted by Jess Wynn

PrEPster, iwantprepnow and PHE have just launched the third annual survey for UK people who have used PrEP in the last 24 months.

Building Resilience - Wellbeing Workshops for HIV positive people

Posted by Mark Tyson

Three workshops will introduce key topics for discussion along with techniques and strategies to help us build and reinforce our emotional resilience.  They will be led by Christine Blessing, Counselling co-ordinator, at Yorkshire MESMAC....

Hull's new service!

Posted by Rosie Ellingham

Yorkshire MESMAC is proud to announce the commencement of Hull’s remodelled Sexual Health Promotion Service. This service is open to all with specific targeted work aimed at young people, BAME people, gay, bi and ot...

Mental Health Workshops Wakefield

Posted by Mark Tyson

All friendly over 18s are welcome to attend any of the mental health workshops running at our Wakefield office this spring.  There is always free food and drinks provided at these informal events. ...

Dr Mags Portman

Posted by Rosie Ellingham

It was with great sadness that we heard last week that our colleague and friend, Mags Portman, died from a rare cancer aged 44.   Dr Portman was a trail blazer in HIV prevention and we...

BASE Testing Session - 30th January 2019 CANCELLED

Posted by Rosie Ellingham

Our weekly testing session at Base has been cancelled this week due to staff shortage. We will be back as usual next Wednesday. If you need a test in the meantime, you can come to...

Festive Season Office Closures

Posted by Jess Wynn

See below for our office closure times over the festive season. All HIV/STI testing drop-in sessions will not be during these times.

'Think' - Free Workshop Group (Wakefield)

Posted by Mark Tyson

‘Think’ is Yorkshire MESMAC’s friendly workshop group in Wakefield.  We meet twice a month usually on a Tuesday evening between 6.30pm and 9pm. We cover topics of interest around health and wellbeing. There is alw...

30 years of World AIDS Day

Posted by Rosie Ellingham

This year, the 1st December marks 30 years of World AIDS Day, and true to form, Yorkshire MESMAC has been busy in the lead up to this, both with delivering over 300 tests for National HIV Testing...

National HIV Testing Week 2018

Posted by Jess Wynn

National HIV Testing Week runs 17th-23rd November 2018. We will be testing in Leeds, York, North Yorkshire, Bradford, Wakefield, Hull and Rotherham.

We need PrEP on the NHS now

Posted by Jess Wynn

A 10,000 place PrEP trial was never going to meet demand – it’s time to make PrEP available to all who need it.

Sunday Times Article

Posted by Pat McCusker

The article in The Sunday Times (04.03.18)  is a disgraceful example of gutter ‘journalism’, even from  a cursory reading of the article it is clear that it is based on half-truths, rumour and innuendo. The...

Sunday Times Article

Posted by Pat McCusker

The article in The Sunday Times (04.03.18)  is a disgraceful example of gutter ‘journalism’, even from  a cursory reading of the article it is clear that it is based on half-truths, rumour and innuendo. The...

Office Closures Thursday 1st March

Posted by Jess Wynn

Due to the snow, the following offices are closed today, Thursday 1st March:  - Leeds -Wakefield -Bradford - York and North Yorkshire (Harrogate, Selby, Scarborough and Northallerton services will not be running) Please keep...

Office closures Wednesday 28th February

Posted by Jess Wynn

Due to the snow, the following offices are closed today, Wednesday 28th February:  - Leeds- York and North Yorkshire (Harrogate, Selby, Scarborough and Northallerton services will not be running)-Wakefield Please keep an eye...

Human Rights Day: An Open Letter to the Prime Minister

Posted by Jess Wynn

Along with 140+ other organisations, we have signed to the Prime Minister Theresa May and to the heads of all political parties in the UK, urging them to protect our fundamental human rights, both now and...

Rotherham World AIDS Day Event

Posted by Jess Wynn

See the poster below for details of the 2017 World AIDS Day event in Rotherham.

National HIV Testing Week 2017

Posted by Jess Wynn

It's National HIV Testing Week! We will be testing in Leeds, York, North Yorkshire, Bradford, Wakefield, Hull and Rotherham.

Statement on recent press coverage

Posted by Jess Wynn

We understand that, viewed out of context of Yorkshire MESMAC’s suite of policies including safeguarding of children and safeguarding adults at risk, there is a possibility that this code of conduct could be misunderstood.Yo...

RENT- The musical, 20 years on

Posted by Jess Wynn

The Bradford Playhouse will be showing a production of RENT between 8th-11th November 7:30pm. Here's some more information about the background of the show.

Are you going to Winter Pride? Then read this...

Posted by Jess Wynn

If you are going to Gran Canaria Winter Pride, you should get a Hepatitis A vaccination.MESMAC Leeds are running a free Hep A vaccination session alongside our usual Testing Times + on Tuesday 24/10/17.It...

Project 100

Posted by Jess Wynn

​Living with and managing HIV can be challenging for many people. Whether it’s coming to terms with a new diagnosis, starting or changing treatment, managing relationships or talking about HIV. Peer support has been prov...

Hepatitis: It Stops Here

Posted by Jess Wynn

Hepatitis B and C are infections that affect the liver. They can be passed on through sharing drug taking equipment or unprotected sex. Here's everything you need to know about the causes, symptoms, treatments and...

New HIV self-testing kit aims to increase diagnosis rates

Posted by Jess Wynn

A new study from UCL, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, and Public Health England seeks to discover whether providing free HIV self-tests to men, transgender men and transgender women who have sex with men...

Snap Map: A Guide to Staying Safe

Posted by Jess Wynn

Snapchat have added a super creepy new feature called Snap Map. It means that, depending on your settings, any of your Snapchat friends could see exactly where you are. Here's are guide to staying safe.

HIV Manifesto Launched Today

Posted by Jess Wynn

We’re calling on the next government to stand with people affected by HIV.

Leeds Testing Times+ Cancelled- 18th April

Posted by Jess Wynn

Our Testing Times+ drop-in tonight in Leeds has been cancelled due to a maintenance issue with water and toilets. Our drop in on Thursday will go ahead as usual! Apologies for any inconvenience caused.&...

Yorkshire MESMAC in Rotherham

Posted by Jess Wynn

Starting from the 3rd April, Yorkshire MESMAC is offering a new sexual health community outreach service in Rotherham in partnership with the Integrated Sexual Heath Service.

New Workshops

Posted by Jess Wynn

Read on for some new workshops that we'll be running.

Syphilis: The Great Mimic

Posted by Jess Wynn

Syphilis is on the increase across Yorkshire so it's important that you get clued up. Here's everything you need to know about the causes, symptoms, treatments and getting tested.

Expanded STI Screening (Wakefield)

Posted by Mark Tyson

Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea are Sexually Transmitted Infections you can get in your cock, throat, vagina or bum.  At Yorkshire MESMAC in Wakefield we can now screen you confidentially for both infections in all areas...

Me and My Home - Older People's Housing in Leeds

Posted by Jess Wynn

Are you interested in housing and the needs of older people in Leeds? Would you like the opportunity to share your thoughts and ideas with other older people and housing providers? Take a look at...

FGM: A Personal Experience

Posted by Jess Wynn

Our Hull team have produced a video giving the personal experiences of a woman who has undergone Female Genital Mutilation.

Orlando attack

Posted by Tom Doyle

Yorkshire MESMAC volunteers, trustees and staff are horrified, saddened and angered at the murder and injury in Orlando. Tom Doyle, Yorkshire MESMAC Chief Executive said, ‘Our thoughts at this time are with those whose hearts ar...

Leeds support and solidarity with Orlando

Posted by Tom Doyle

Leeds which has Yorkshire’s largest Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGB&T) community will join together from 10:30pm for speeches, words and tribute leading to a minutes silence at 11pm on Monday 13th June on...

Volunteers’ Week: The Big Celebration

Posted by Jess Wynn

Over 21 million people volunteer in the UK at least once a year and this contributes an estimated £23.9bn to the UK economy. Behind these big numbers is a big contribution.

Let's talk about PrEP

Posted by Pat McCusker

PrEP is an highly effective and safe medication that has been proven to prevent HIV transmission if you take it daily. As yet there's no news about when PrEP will be available on the NHS....

Drug resistant Shigella outbreak in London

Posted by Jess Wynn

Are you a man who has sex with other men, HIV+ or do you visit London regularly? There has been an outbreak of the little known infection Shigella in London, and it can be caught...

Making It Work: Testing Times in Wakefield

Posted by Jess Wynn

In England in 2013, 59 per 1,000 MSM aged between 15-59 years old were estimated to have HIV. 16% of MSM were undiagnosed.

PrEP info for people in the UK

Posted by Jess Wynn

Pre-exposure prophylaxis is a course of HIV drugs taken before sex to reduce the risk of getting HIV.

Yorkshire Bears bare all for 2016 Charity Calendar!

Posted by Jess Wynn

Another year, another calendar, but as usual, the Yorkshire Bears are taking the art of calendar making and doing it in style!

Free Online HIV Testing Service Launched

Posted by Jess Wynn

To complement our drop-in, click and collect and appoint based HIV testing service, there is now a free HIV online home sampling service.

Click and Collect HIV testing in Leeds

Posted by Jess Wynn

Getting a HIV test in Leeds has never been easier. You can now order your testing kit and collect it from Yorkshire MESMAC Leeds offices at a time that best suits you.

Passionate about Refugee Women Support?

Posted by Jess Wynn

​City of Sanctuary Wakefield are seeking enthusiastic volunteers to join their dynamic Women’s group that provide weekly support sessions and activities for women and children in Urban House.