HIV charity Terrence Higgins Trust Cymru has appointed public relations expert Rhys Goode as its new head.
One of the key tasks facing Mr Goode, who has held top communications jobs at JustGiving and Klarna, is to help with work to ending new HIV cases in Wales by 2030. The action plan detailing how Wales will end new HIV cases by 2030 has been supported by the First Minister Mark Drakeford and his cabinet colleagues.
Mr Goode plans to combine his professional experience with a home-grown knowledge of the Welsh political scene, having grown-up in the South Wales Valleys before starting a career in London.
READ MORE: 'My worst nightmare!' Heartbroken Welsh sports presenter doesn't even want to watch World Cup
Mr Goode said: “I am so excited to be taking on this role to shape the future of Terrence Higgins Trust Cymru. We have all the tools necessary to ensure no new HIV cases – now we need to deploy them. With the help of Welsh Government and our other partners across Wales, we have an opportunity to drive HIV transmission to zero by 2030 while combating old stereotypes and stigma faced by many of those living with HIV.
“I look forward to working closely with the Minister for Health, others in the Welsh Government, MS of every party and councillors and health boards across the country to deliver this ambitious goal but also improve the patchy access to sexual health services outside Cardiff to ensure everyone can access high-quality care within their reach.”
The Terrence Higgins Trust is the UK's leading HIV and Aids charity and was formed following the death of Welshman Terry Higgins - who was one of the first people in the UK to die of an Aids related illness. It is the now largest voluntary sector provider of HIV and sexual health services in the UK, running services out of local centres across the country. As well as aiming to reduce infections as well as provide education about HIV and Aids, The Terrence Higgins Trust also challenges the the stigma associated with HIV and with poor sexual health
Ian Green, Chief Executive at Terrence Higgins Trust, added: “We’re absolutely committed to playing our role in Wales reaching the life-changing goal of ending new HIV cases by 2030 and delighted that Rhys will be leading this work. We know what needs to be done to achieve that 2030 target, including more HIV testing and access to prevention pill PrEP. But it won’t happen without a concerted effort and strong implementation of an ambitious HIV Action Plan for Wales.”
Wales was the first UK nation to make it a national endeavour to end new HIV cases by the end of the decade and led the way on universal PrEP provision – the drug taking by people who test HIV-negative to protect against the virus.
Read next:
- Queer Emporium claims new cocktail bar will 'compromise safety of our customers'
- Drag queen storyteller targeted by far-right group says homophobic leaflet campaign is 'laughable'
-
Human Rights Watch alleges ill-treatment of LGBT+ people in Qatar weeks before men's World Cup
- What it's like being on the receiving end of mid Wales' rising hate crimes
