Every February, National HIV Testing Week shines a light on the importance of knowing your status – but it is more than a campaign, it is an invitation to take control of your health, break stigma and protect our communities. This year, our team will be out across Blackpool, Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen offering free, confidential and fast HIV tests in the places people already live, work, study and socialise.
Running alongside the national “I Test” campaign, the week will focus on increasing access to HIV testing in communities with higher prevalence and in groups at greater risk of late diagnosis, supporting local authorities and to make progress towards the national goal of ending new HIV transmissions by 2030.
HIV has changed, but the need for testing has not. Once diagnosed, effective treatment means that people living with HIV can live long, healthy lives and, when their viral load is undetectable, they cannot pass the virus on (U=U – Undetectable = Untransmittable). Yet people are still being diagnosed late, often after years without symptoms, which is why making testing easy and routine remains so important.
Testing for HIV in the UK is free, confidential and simple – through local sexual health clinics, community organisations like ours, or postal testing. During National HIV Testing Week, we are adding extra opportunities to test across the county, bringing services closer to the people who need them most.
Our National HIV Testing Week events
Across the week, our team will be delivering additional HIV testing events in Blackpool, Lancashire and Blackburn with Darwen. All sessions are free and confidential, with rapid results and onward support where needed.
Blackpool
- Monday 9th February – Blackpool University – 10am-2pm
An on‑campus information and testing event, offering drop-in appointments for students and staff who may struggle to attend traditional clinic times. - Tuesday 10th February – Fast-Track Clinic – 12pm-8pm
Our Fast-Track Drop-in Clinic will be extending it’s opening times during National HIV Testing Week to give even more opportunities for people to get tested. - Wednesday 11th February – Blackpool Train Station – Morning
An information stand in the station concourse, reaching commuters, visitors and local residents on their journeys. - Wednesday 11th February – Rainbow Quarter – Evening
Evening outreach in the heart of Blackpool’s Rainbow Quarter, providing HIV testing, safer sex information and resources in a key LGBTQ+ nightlife area.
Lancashire
- Monday 9th February – Royal Preston Hospital – 11am-2pm
The team will be at Charters Restaurant at Preston Royal Hospital, providing information and advice to the public. - Tuesday 10th February – Plungington Community Centre – 10am–2pm
A community‑based HIV testing clinic, making it easy for local residents to drop in, test and talk in a familiar neighbourhood venue. - Tuesday 10th February – Market Square, Lancaster – 10am-4pm
Patricia will be parked up in Lancaster’s Market Square, bringing HIV testing, information and advice into a prominent town‑centre space. - Wednesday 11th February – Asylum Seeker Hotel, Lancaster – 10am–2pm
A closed, on‑site testing session for people seeking asylum, offering a safe, confidential space to test and access information tailored to their needs. - Thursday 12th February – British Red Cross – 9.30am–12pm
Patricia will be at the British Red Cross in Preston, offering a HIV testing session delivered as part of our outreach day, with opportunities for advice, signposting and support. - Thursday 12th February – COTS, Burnley – 1pm–3.30pm
Patricia will be at COTS in Burnley, providing quick HIV tests and sexual health information for local communities and those experiencing homelessness. - Thursday 12th February – Inspire – 1.30pm–4.30pm
A dedicated HIV testing session at Inspire, ensuring people already engaging with drug and alcohol support services have easy access to testing. - Friday 13th February – Edge Hill – 10am–3pm
Patricia will be on‑campus, providing HIV testing for students and staff, helping to normalise testing among younger adults and university communities.
Blackburn with Darwen
- Saturday 7th February – Utilita Hub – 10am-3pm
The team will be facilitating a pop-up information and advice stand at Utilita Hub in Blackburn town centre. - Monday 9th February – Blackburn Bus Station – 10am–12pm
Patricia will be parked up at Blackburn Bus Station on Monday morning, providing information, advice and testing to commuters on their way to work, school or shopping trip. - Monday 9th February – Darwen Market Square – 1pm–3pm
Patricia will be parked up in the heart of Darwen, providing HIV information, advice and testing to the community. - Wednesday 11th February – DARE – 10am–1pm
The team will be on board Patricia, providing a targeted testing clinic at DARE, providing HIV tests, information and signposting in a trusted local setting.
How people can get tested outside these events
Testing for HIV is free and simple all year round.
- In Lancashire and Blackpool, people can arrange a full sexual health screen and HIV test by calling the local sexual health service on 0300 1234 154 or ordering a free postal kit via SH.UK.
- In Blackburn with Darwen, people can book testing through the local sexual health clinic, Brook by calling 01254 268 700 or order a free postal kit via SH24.
Those who receive a diagnosis of HIV – or are already living with the condition – will be offered treatment that can suppress the virus to undetectable levels, meaning they can stay healthy and cannot pass HIV on to their sexual partners (U=U).
For updates and ways to get involved in National HIV Testing Week, visit www.rev-uk.com and follow @RevolutionAtRen and @RenaissanceDLL across social media.
