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Ensuring Positive Futures is the winner of the Guardian Public Service Awards

6th December 2006

At an award ceremony last night Ensuring Positive Futures received the coveted Guardian Public Service award , in the 'service delivery for long term conditions' category.

Andrew Little accepting the award

Andrew Little, EPF programme director (centre), accepting the award from Kirsty Wark of the BBC.

EPF team at the Guardian awards

Andrew Little, EPF programme director with Michael Laffan from UKC, Elisabeth Crafer from Positively Women and Mark Santos from Positive East. The award is recognition of EPF's valuable work in supporting people living with HIV.

Ensuring Positive Futures (EPF) has come a long way since its origins as a small back to work project set up by the UK Coalition of People Living with HIV and Aids in 1996.

Since then it has evolved to empower people living with HIV to further succeed in their career goals, and to challenge discrimination in the workplace.

There are now EPF projects across the country, with 24 partners including major HIV charities, businesses, colleges, trades unions and government bodies, all working together to support people living with HIV in the workplace.

The value of partnership working, which makes EPF so unique and effective, was praised by Alan Rusbridger, editor of the Guardian, and Ruth Kelly, Minister for Local Government at the Guardian Public Service Awards. EPF was short-listed from 500 entrants.

This award is recognition of EPF’s unique and innovative projects. These include a fitness centre and a gardening project, which encourage people living with HIV to manage a healthy lifestyle and to learn new skills. There was special recognition of EPF’s innovative client case-management process.

Andrew Little, from EPF lead partner, UK Coalition of People Living with HIV and Aids, who received the award, commented:

“I feel very proud that the partnership’s work has been recognised at such a high profile event. With today’s medical advances, people living with HIV can enjoy successful careers, but all too often they face ignorance and prejudice. EPF has worked hard to support people living with HIV, and this award will help us to put HIV on the public’s agenda.”

Lisa Power of EPF partner the Terence Higgins Trust, added:

"We're delighted that EPF's work to improve employment issues for people with HIV has been recognised. It's vital that stigma isn't allowed to hold people back from realising their full potential and this award validates the fight back."

Deborah Jack of the EPF partner the National Aids Trust commented:

"The real strength of the partnership lies in its ability to reach out at so many different levels; to people living with HIV, employers, trade unions, and also government and policy makers. The award recognises the impact of our shared voice."

-ends-

Notes

Contact

Michael Laffan, EPF Web Communications Officer.

Email: mlaffan@ukcoalition.org

Telephone: 020 7564 2180