Let’s Nail HIV Stigma

This campaign was aimed at secondary schools and workplaces but really took off to include individuals!! The aim was to get as many people as possible to paint a finger nail Red on Friday 29th November and over the weekend until WAD on Sunday 1st December. As part of the campaign we encouraged people to talk to friends, family and work colleagues about why they had painted their nail Red thus raisied awareness to a greater number of people.
We also encourage people to share pictures on their social media platforms, again raising awareness of HIV with the hashtag #LetsNailHIVStigma
The North East was the first area to have a ‘Let’s Nail HIV Stigma’ Campaign.
Below is a small sample of the photos sent to us and shared on social media.

Eyes Open WAD Red Ball - Sponsored by Pride Radio

The Eyes Open Steering Group hosted the 2nd World AIDS Day ‘Red Ball’ on Saturday 30th November 2019 to raise awareness of HIV, remember those no longer with us and also as a celebration of where we are today and how the face of HIV treatment and care has completely changed.

Photo’s of the event are available to see on our Red Ball 2019 page.

The Red Ball was sponsored by Pride Radio and supported by: Thornton Print, Olive & Bean, Big Purple, Pride World Media

The Red Ball

Eyes Open hosted a World AIDS Day ‘Red Ball’ on Saturday 1st December to raise awareness of HIV, remember those no longer with us and also as a celebration of where we are today and how the face of HIV treatment and care has completely changed.

The night was hosted by Peter Darrant and included a prosecco reception, three course meal and live entertainment from the stunning vocal talents of Laurence Olivier Award nominated and Britain's Got Talent semi-finalist Alison Jiear followed by DJ Steve Grant late into the night.
Quizzes, raffles and prizes were given throughout the night all to raise funds for HIV charity Blue Sky Trust who support HIV+ people across the North East region.

More information and photos can been seen on the page Red Ball 2018

2016

EYES OPEN events for 2016 included:

HIV Awareness Quilt tour of the area from August 2016

The Paske Award for the best campaign for reducing stigma around HIV - Winners PPT

Supporting HIV testing week from 19 November, 2016

A regional twilight conference on Thursday 24th Nov. 2016 at St. James’ Park, Newcastle

Illuminating local landmarks red - 1st of December

World AIDS Day Vigil at Newcastle Civic Centre, Grand Entrance Hall.
With guest speakers and music from Northern Proud Voices the event drew a great crowd of members of the public

The conference was for proffessionals working in the HIV field with presentations and peer mentoring by the PPT and Blue Sky Trust.

2015

World Aid's Day quilt 2015

In 2015 the Eyes Open committee commissioned Blue Sky Trust to organise workshops across the region to put together working groups to make patches to put together a quilt. We had some brilliant patches sent in from all different ages. These are some of the pictures that were taken throughout the making of the quilt.

World AIDS Day 2015

Sunderland Presents

World AIDS Day ***Eyes open Present:***
An Exhibiton of the HIV time line, set against notable historic happenings. The Sunderland Minster, High Street West (opposite the Empire). Tuesday 1st December (World AIDS Day) until Friday 4th December2015 “Facinating” “Eyes opening” “both educational and a conversation piece”

Annual Report 2015

In 2015 the Eyes Open team has a number of events organised, from the HIV awareness quilt, the annual art competition, the candlelit vigil in Old Eldon Square to the Red Ribbon Selfie campaign on our Facebook page.

2014

2014 saw Eyes Open try something new with film screenings around the region with a discussion panel talking about HIV and stigma. There was also a 'Funk Your Ribbon' competition with ribbons being displayed on the Facebook page.

2013

In 2013 the Eyes Open team organised a World AIDS Day conference at the Centre For Life in Newcastle.

2012

In 2012 the Eyes Open team organised a series of Lantern making workshops with a HIV and stigma theme. The lanterns were then used for an awareness raising parade from the Monument in Newcastle to the Baltic in Gateshead.

2011

Following the sucess of the previous year, the Eyes Open team organised a second fundraising 'Ball', this time with a Moulin Rouge theme.

2010

in 2010 the Eyes Open team organised an ambitious Masquerade Ball which raised funds for HIV work in the region.

2009

2009 saw Eyes Open organise a HIV conference at the Life Centre in Newcastle and a candlelit vigil at Times Square.

2008

2008 saw a HIV awareness march from the Monument, Newcastle to the Sage in Gateshead with a balloon release upon arrival. A free music concert was then given at the Sage with speeches and inspirational music.

2007

In 2007 a HIV awareness march was organised, setting off from the Monument in Newcastle and ending at the Baltic in Gateshead.

2006

In 2006 the winning artwork from the HIV and stigma art competition was exhibited at the Discovery Museum.

2005

2005 saw the Eyes Open winners artwork exhibited at the Discovery Museum with a candlelit vigil taking place at 'The End Bar' (now Secrets).

2004

The second Eyes Open art competition winners exhibition was hosted by the Discovery Museum in 2004. A candlelit vigil organised by Eyes Open also took place at Times Square.

2003

The very first Eyes Open art competition had Trevor as the overall winner and the artwork exhibition was hosted by the Biscuit Factory in 2003.

Eyes Open PAST Events Timeline

2019