Fast Track Swansea Bay

Drawing inspiration from the achievements of Fast Track Cardiff and Vale, and aligned with the establishment and objectives of Fast Track Cymru, the groundwork for Fast Track Swansea Bay was laid in 2022 in collaboration and input from consultants, nurses and other invested individuals from the health board as well as representatives from local community organisations. However, since October 2023 Swansea Bay Fast Track has grown and established itself across the area. Our steering group has expanded and developed and we have formally appointed Cllr. Elliott King (he/him) as the Chair and our Development Worker is Jason Davies (he/him). Both Elliott and Jason have multiple connections and roles in the Swansea Bay area and bring a range of skills and experiences to the benefit of Fast Track Swansea Bay. Other members of the steering group include members of the sexual health team for Swansea Bay, representatives from the third sector and community organisations as well as staff from Swansea Council (and hopefully Neath Port Talbot Council shortly). We also have members of the steering group who are living with HIV and those who are on PrEP who bring lived experience which is of paramount importance to us.

The priorities for Fast Track Swansea Bay are:

• Increased Testing
• Increased uptake of PrEP
• Improved education around HIV to combat stigma

In November 2023 we had an active and successful HIV Testing Week including community events, connecting with even more organisations and attending a Winter Pride too. Throughout the week and by utilising our strategic partnerships we increased awareness of postal testing, raised awareness of HIV in Wales and hopefully reduced stigma associated with HIV and encouraged more people to take charge of their sexual health.

On 28th November, we joined forces with the other Fast Tracks in Wales to partake in a reception at the Senedd in observance of World AIDS Day and HIV Testing Week. The event served as a platform to applaud the noteworthy contributions of Fast Track Cymru, showcasing the impactful work undertaken in the realm of HIV awareness and testing.

On World AIDS Day (1st December 2023), we proudly supported an event organised by Swanscene, whose founder is a member of our steering group. The event successfully raised £250 which contributed to the causes of Terrence Higgins Trust and Swansea Pride, furthering our commitment to supporting meaningful initiatives within our community.

As we set our sights on 2024, our proactive approach includes the planning of a spring campaign aimed at combating stigma associated with HIV. Furthermore, we are gearing up to amplify our efforts during HIV Testing Week. On the horizon, we aspire to formalise our commitment by becoming an official Fast Track City, a status that not only aligns us with a global initiative but also grants us access to invaluable resources and events.

If you would like to know more about Fast Track Swansea Bay or join our mailing list please email fasttrackswansea@hiv.wales we can also be found on Facebook and Instagram.