We LOVE hearing how much our services mean to you 💬 From free HIV & STI tests to counselling, Spectra is here for you. But to keep our services free, we need your help. Support Spectra. Donate today. Every contribution helps us reach more people who need us. https://spectra-london.org.uk/donate/

September is World Suicide Prevention Month - a time to raise awareness, offer support, and remind each other that help is always available.  At Spectra, we’re here to support you. Feel free to reach out to us via a DM or via info@spectra-london.org.uk

Spectra provides free HIV and STI tests to multiple locations around London.  Check out where we will be next week: https://spectra-london.org.uk/all-events/ For any questions about your sexual health, we are always here for you!

We have a few DYI HRT-focused needle exchange meet-ups in the next two months.  Come for a tea and a chat while you pick up injection supplies for HRT. We give out supplies for intramuscular and subcutaneous injections. We can take in your used needles and we have spare sharp bins if you need some.

Sexual Health Week 2025: tip 3 💊 Did you know some medications can affect your sex life? Some meds can change how you respond to intimacy. They might lower your desire, make arousal more difficult, or change how sex feels. For free counselling: https://spectra-london.org.uk/counselling/

Yesterday, Spectra headed to Birmingham for the HIV Prevention England conference, joining voices across the sector to tackle inequalities in PrEP access. 💊 We discussed new data on HIV and PrEP, heard powerful lived experiences, and connected with inspiring projects driving change.

Sexual Health Week 2025: Tip 2! 💭 Have you ever noticed how your mental health can affect your sex life - and vice versa? Spectra offers a range of counselling, for which you can apply below: https://spectra-london.org.uk/counselling/

We’re running the World AIDS Day Red Run to raise funds for our services, from sexual health and HIV support to wellbeing workshops. Your fundraising will directly help people in London who are too often excluded from healthcare and support. 📢Sign up to fundraise for us: https://www.redrun.org.uk/

📢 We have signed an open letter, led by @decrimnow.bsky.social , calling on the UK Government to act on the poverty crisis driving more people, especially women, into s@x work.  Read more:  https://spectra-london.org.uk/2025/09/15/women-in-poverty-sx-work-spectra-open-letter/

It's Sexual Health Week!  This week we'll share tips on sexual health 101. This year's theme is ‘Chronically Online: Love, Sex and Relationships’ and we will also deliver some online trainings on menopause, hepatitis and HIV. Book your slot via: http://bit.ly/3K1IU4B

📍 Next week you can find us on: 16 September 15.30-18.30: Pollard's Hill Library, CR4 1LT 18 September 11.00-15.00: Battersea Arts Centre, SW11 5TN 13.00-17.00: Circle Library, SM5 1JJ 19 September 13:00-16:00, Whitton Library, TW2 7BB https://spectra-london.org.uk/all-events/

The Preventx team walkes 15miles last week to fundraise for Spectra and the Sheffield Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (SRASAC). Yes - the target was reached 🥳  More funds = more capacity to support more people.🫂  You can also donate at: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/preventx-sheffield-walk

A new report from TransActual shows that trans and cisgender people face job loss, violence, vigilantism and wholesale exclusion following the Supreme Court Ruling and EHRC guidance. Read the report at: tinyurl.com/trans-segreg... #Trans #Transgender #Nonbinary #EqualityAct #EHRC #TransRights

🏃‍♀️The World AIDS Day RED RUN is back on 22 November at Victoria Park and Spectra is part of it! Whether you run, walk, or cheer from the sidelines, your support helps drive real change in the HIV sector. Sign up today to support Spectra: 👉 http://redrun.org.uk #RedRunUK #WorldAidsDay #Spectra

How easy is it to roll on a condom? 🍆 We tried different sizes on different veggies 🥕 (yes, with these nails 💅) and they hold up! Safe, sturdy, and a bit funny. Come get some for free at any of our next week's sessions: #Spectra #SpectraLondon #SexualHealth #Condoms #VeggieTest

Spectra’s free, confidential, independent Trans Health Advocacy Service supports and empowers trans, nonbinary, and gender-diverse people who are 18+, based in London, accessing any kind of healthcare. Book your slot for one of our upcoming workshops: http://bit.ly/4lZx3RC

Join us on free online trainings during this year's Sexual Health Awareness Week (15-21 September) designed to support professionals in health, education, and social care - or just the curious. Register 👇 http://bit.ly/4m2L2Gl

Spectra joins over 80 organisations calling on MPs to scrutinise the EHRC’s proposed Code of Practice.  It could come into effect without debate or vote, undermining the rights of trans and cis people alike.  Write to your MP: https://bit.ly/423Sz0y

7 days until PreventX walk 15 miles for Spectra and SRASAC! Help them beat the £1K target. Help Spectra run more peer led health advocacy, counselling, art therapy, social groups and advice workshops for folks in our communities. #PeaksPeoplePower #PreventXinthePeaks #SheffieldRoundWalk

Suitcase packed? Just one thing left - a quick, free and easy STI test. If a holiday romance is on your itinerary this summer, get tested before and soon after your trip.  STI testing at Spectra and SHL.UK is free and discreet.  For any questions, our DMs are always open.

Have you started warming up for this year's Red Run? If not, what are you waiting for! The Spectra team will be there, running to support people who live with HIV around the UK and now's the time to join us! Register here: https://www.redrun.org.uk/ For any questions, feel free to reach out.

Next week you can find us at: 26/08: 10.30 - 14.30 Chalkhill Community Centre,  113 Chalkhill Rd, Wembley Park, Wembley HA9 9FX 27/08: 11.00 - 14.00 Acton Homeless Concern, Emmaus House, 1 Berrymead Gardens, London W3 8AA

What does sexual health mean to you? Ahead of the Sexual Health week (15-21 September) we invite people to contribute to a collaborative zine on their ideas on sexual health. UPDATED DEADLINE: 8 September Submit your work via the link below: https://form.jotform.com/252153002485044

PreventX, the largest provider of remote sexual health testing in the UK, is lacing up its walking boots for a cause that matters. On Wednesday, 3rd September, they are taking on the 15-mile Sheffield Round Walk in support of Spectra. https://spectra-london.org.uk/donate/

🚀Join our team as a Finance Manager! 4 days per week, £41,375 FTE (pro rata at 0.8FTE, £33,100) ℹ️ Find the application info and full job description on our website: https://spectra-london.org.uk/get-involved/#vacancies (link in bio!) ⏰ Closing date: 9am, 26th August 2025

"I have been spat at in the street." Our patron Gareth Thomas calls out HIV stigma and the prejudice he has faced. We need to end HIV stigma.

We're recruiting a Policy Officer to join our team. You’ll be working alongside our Policy Lead, Director of Policy and Director for Healthcare to advocate for trans people’s needs in a range of policy areas. For more info go to transactual.org.uk/jobs #hiring #vacancy #LookingForWork #Queerjobs

And... it's a wrap! Spectra spent the weekend at We Out Here Festival, raising awareness about our Trans services, playing games with dildos, giving out frog temporary tattoos, condoms and lubes and fundraising for our work.  https://spectra-london.org.uk/

Autumn is approaching and we are getting closer to the World AIDS Red Run Day on November 22.  Sign up to fundraise via https://www.redrun.org.uk/, select Spectra as your chosen charity, and help us support people living with HIV.  #SpectraLondon #SexualHealth #HIV #WorldAidsDay #RedRun

Do you know why the frog is such a big thing amongst queer folks?  No matter what it is, we love them! So we went to We Out Here Festival this weekend dressed as our favourite mascot to talk all things sexual health.  Read about our trans services: https://spectra-london.org.uk/trans-services/

The advocacy service is open for referrals, and ALWAYS open for signposting! Please email advocacy@spectra-london.org.uk to get in touch 💌

Are you getting ready to run (or chill walk 😉) at this year's World AIDS Day Red Run? When? 22 November  Where? Victoria Park Click the link below and be part of the community of people fundraising for charities who work towards supporting people with HIV.  https://www.redrun.org.uk/

Join poet and writer Gayathiri Kamalakanthan on 14 August, 18.30, on a poetry workshop on transness and sexual health, as part of the exhibition 'It’s A Love Thing' at Studio Voltaire. Exclusively for young trans people aged 18–25. https://bit.ly/3JfjGPH

Spectra was at UK Black Pride! Big thanks to everyone who stopped by to say hello, talk about sexual health, or to get a condom or a massage from our lovely team 💜 Your energy and support made it such a brilliant day! 🌈

For South Asian Heritage Month, Rahil, they/them, Spectra staff member, speaks on sexual health matters in South Asian communities. “Many people only learn sexual terms or anatomy in English, not in their mother tongue. This reflects a broader gap in sexual health education.” spectra-london.org.uk

What is sexual health for you?  Ahead of the Sexual Health week (15-21 September) we invite people from across the UK to share their creative expressions on what sexual health means to them in order to create a a collaborative zine!  Deadline: 27 August https://form.jotform.com/252153002485044

Join us on Saturday, 16 August, at 18.30 at Studio Voltaire for a panel discussion around the history of sexual health in the UK, as well as the current landscape of and how it affects people today.  Book your ticket: https://bit.ly/4myeOni The exhibition closes on Sunday 17 August 2025.⁠

Spectra is heading to UK Black Pride! Catch us at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on Sunday 10 August, 12–6pm. We will have sexual health packs & surprise giveaways waiting for you! Will you join us? #UKBlackPride #SpectraLondon #CommunityCare #LGBTQSupport

Join Spectra at the 2025 World AIDS Day RED RUN! Spectra is taking part in the World AIDS Day RED RUN, fundraising for HIV support and awareness on Saturday 22 November 2025 in East London’s Victoria Park. This year, we’re inviting you to run, walk, or jog with us, and fundraise for Spectra.

Peer-led weekly wellbeing outreach sessions happening across NW & SW London by Spectra. Find out more about your sexual health. 4–8 August | Multiple locations Locations: Carney’s, Olympic House, Kingston Library, Merton Civic, Ealing Town Hall, Southfields, Acton Gardens, Castlenau

5 more days to apply to be part of our team! People and Culture Development Manager 2.5 days per week, 1 year fixed term contract £35,000 FTE (pro rata at 0.5FTE, £17,500) https://spectra-london.org.uk/get-involved/#vacancies Closing date: Midday, 6th August 2025

Join our team! Fundraising Strategic Lead £45,500 FTE, 4 days/week We are looking for an experienced fundraiser with team leadership experience to diversify our income streams and increase our donors and giving profile. https://spectra-london.org.uk/get-involved/#vacancies Apply by 6 August

Coming up in August at Spectra's Pyramid LGBTQIA+ youth group: - Weekly peer sessions - 'Queerness in Nature' discussionw - Guest host: the fabulous Medusa Hasbeen on 11 August, 18:30. Are you 13–18 and identify as LGBTQIA+? Sign up to our newsletter to get involved and stay updated!

What an incredible turnout at the 7th Trans Pride in London!🏳️‍⚧️ More than 100,000 people came to celebrate our trans siblings and demand the protection of their rights.  Spectra marched alongside a number of our service users from the trans services, HIV prevention and young people.

On 22 November, the World AIDS Day RED RUN returns to Victoria Park and Spectra will be part of it. This is a chance to celebrate progress in the HIV sector and take action to support healthy lives. Sign up to run/walk for Spectra and make a difference: http://redrun.org.uk

🚀Join our team as a Finance Manager! 4 days per week £41,375 FTE (pro rata at 0.8FTE, £33,100) ℹ️ Find the application info and full job description on our website: https://spectra-london.org.uk/get-involved/#vacancies (link in bio!) ⏰ Closing date: 9am, 26th August 2025

Family Wellbeing Fun Day Tuesday 19 August, 10:30am – 3:00pm Hillingdon Primary School, UB10 0PH Spectra will be at Hillingdon Primary School with interactive tools and resources to support sexual health for all ages. Join us for a fun-filled family day! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/family-wel...

🚀The Trans Learning Partnership is becoming an independent charity and we’re recruiting founding trustees! We’re seeking folks passionate about trans liberation with experience in governance, fundraising, equity, or community organising. Deadline: 13/08 Apply: https://the-tlp.pulse.ly/5oabdwiisy

Today is #ZeroHIVStigmaDay. It's a day to raise awareness and take action against HIV stigma. Spectra delivers daily HIV & STI testing sessions, debunking the myths around living a life with HIV. Find out about our outreach sessions: 🔗 www.spectra-london.org.uk/all-events

The World AIDS Day RED RUN returns to Victoria Park in London, for its 15th year on 22 November, 2025! The 10K or 5K fun run/walk supports HIV charities to strengthen the UK’s response to HIV. Sign up and select Spectra to help us increase support for those living with HIV. Sign up: redrun.org.uk