Written by Jack Prince
Community Journalist Volunteer
Subedited by Jordan Baker
Community Journalist
Introducing Jack
Hello! My name is Jack, and I began volunteering with VAC this year supporting the Community Journalist project.
I’ve been writing articles since 2022, primarily covering local news and technology, while also undertaking my NCTJ diploma in multimedia journalism.
Having previously volunteered for my Duke of Edinburgh Award, I was eager to get back into volunteering, give something back, and make a positive impact.
I’ve always understood the importance of charities, but after speaking with volunteers, trustees, and those who benefit most from their work, I’ve come to realise they truly are the lifeblood of our communities. The time and effort the Calderdale VCSE give so selflessly is incredible, yet often goes unrecognised.
Through my work with VAC, I aim to highlight the amazing efforts that build and sustain communities. I want to share the stories of those who change lives—stories that might otherwise go unheard.
I look forward to you reading my upcoming articles.
Any requests for stories can be sent to jordan.baker@cvac.org.uk
Operating since 1992 under the name Calderdale HIV/AIDS Link (CHAL), the service adopted its current name after expanding into Kirklees in 2002.
The Brunswick Centre successfully delivers a wide range of services available to LGBTQ+ communities across Calderdale and Kirklees.
The charities provision includes HIV support and prevention services, LGBTQ+ youth support, smoking cessation and counselling
The HIV Support Service team offers tailored support to people living with HIV and their carers. The team addresses a wide range of needs, including health and wellbeing advice, nutritional and dietetic guidance, and help with navigating benefits and welfare rights.
This service ensures that those living with an HIV diagnosis in our communities have the support and resources needed to lead healthier and more fulfilling lives.
While the HIV Prevention team educates individuals on steps to take to prevent the virus offering free community HIV testing, advice on treatment options to prevent transmission and outreach both online and in public.
The LGBTQ+ youth branch of the centre also offers many services including hosting youth groups up to 21 years old, Mondays through Wednesdays in Halifax, Dewsbury, and Huddersfield where attendees receive local advice, attend sexual health meetings, and receive any support they need.
More than that, it’s a place for young people to socialise, play games, to go on residential trips in parks and activity forests. A place to grow and learn, as much as to be supported and taught.
The service has also held several recent campaigns. Such as Queer as Smoke, helping HIV and LGBTQ+ communities to quit smoking, Swap to Stop, providing free vape kits to help people transition away from cigarettes, and “Are you PrEPared?”, raising awareness and increasing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) usage amongst communities more likely to be exposed to HIV.
However, the Brunswick Centre’s latest and most ambitious goal is to work in partnership with other charities and statutory services to deliver Mission Zero.Mission Zero aims to stop discrimination and stigma, end all new cases of, and stop all preventable deaths from HIV, Tuberculosis, and viral Hepatitis in Calderdale by 2030.
Mission Zero’s upcoming conference in November will feature talks from various charity heads human rights campaigners and statutory services, as well as the opportunity to discuss challenges and how we can work together to raise awareness and reduce the stigma necessary to achieve their targets.
You can book on to the Mission Zero conference here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mission-zero-conference-tickets-947929311087
Despite the enormity of its missions, it’s remarkable to see the charity move from strength to strength.
In July, the charity once again received the Quality 4 Health + Wellbeing Level 2 Accreditation, the highest level available.
This quality assurance mark is provided by local infrastructure organisation Voluntary & Community (VAC) for groups and organisations who deliver health and wellbeing services as part of their provision.
Chief Officer of The Brunswick Centre, John McKernaghan, said:
”Quality 4 Health is a vital part of our own quality assurance. It ensures we maintain and develop relevant policies, practices, systems and processes to deliver effective and safe services for the communities we serve.
We are proud that we have maintained level 2 accreditation for a further three years showing our commitment to putting service users first.”
As Ben Whalley, Chair of the Board of Trustees at The Brunswick Centre further commented :
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our colleagues at VAC and the West Yorkshire Integrated Care Partnership for their time to share our experiences of this accreditation process.
We know because beneficiaries across our communities tell us, that the services, support and campaigning we do makes the world a better place for those we exist to serve.”
If you would like to learn more about The Brunswick Centre, you can access their website here: https://www.thebrunswickcentre.org.uk/
If you’re a group or organisation and are interested in finding out more about Quality 4 Health + Wellbeing, please contact engagement@cvac.org.uk
