Sahir

Join us during National HIV Testing Week as we host information stalls and pop-up testing clinics across the Liverpool City Region.

At our events, you can access:
✔ Free, confidential advice on HIV testing – where, how, and why to test.
✔ HIV & Syphilis rapid testing (Point of Care Testing) and STI screening.
✔ Free safer sex packs for everyone.
✔ Information on prevention, education, and sexual health support.

Want to test at home? Self-test kits are available—contact us directly to request one.

Community organisations: If you’d like leaflets or safer sex packs to distribute, please get in touch.

📍 Testing available at Sahir HQ (Dale Street) and various pop-up locations—stay tuned for event details!

Know your status. Get tested. Stay safe.

Jacob’s Story – From Fear to Confidence in Testing

Jacob, a 20-year-old university student, had always put off getting tested for HIV. He worried that if he visited a sexual health clinic, someone he knew might see him. That fear kept him from checking his status, even though he was sexually active and had recently learned that a former partner had tested positive for HIV.

One afternoon, Jacob found himself at Sahir, nervous but determined to take control of his health. A friendly staff member welcomed him with no judgment—just support and reassurance. They explained how self-testing works in a way that made him feel comfortable. In a private space, with guidance every step of the way, Jacob took the test.

The result? Negative. Relief washed over him, but he also realised he had been taking risks without really thinking about the consequences. The staff took time to chat with him about safer sex practices, regular testing, and prevention tools like PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). They also reassured him that traditional sexual health clinics are safe, confidential spaces—not something to fear.

Jacob left feeling empowered, informed, and confident about making better choices. Most importantly, he knew that whenever he needed support, Sahir House would be there for him.

Ada’s Story – Finding Trust and Taking Control

Ada, 25, moved to the UK five years ago and quickly became a regular at Sahir, attending peer support groups and connecting with the community. But when the topic of HIV testing came up during one of the sessions, she felt a familiar wave of anxiety.

She had been thinking about getting tested for a while but always found a reason to put it off. Past experiences with healthcare professionals had left her feeling unheard and judged, and she wasn’t sure she was ready to go through that again.

Instead of pushing her into a decision, a Sahir staff member simply listened. They reassured her that her concerns were valid and that healthcare, especially for marginalised communities, can sometimes feel intimidating. But they also provided her with clear, supportive information—on the realities of HIV today, on the fact that modern treatment means people living with HIV can lead long, healthy lives, and on the truth behind U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable).

By the end of the conversation, Ada wasn’t quite ready to test, and that was okay. She left knowing that Sahir was a safe space, where she could take things at her own pace.

A few weeks later, she returned. This time, she was ready. She picked up a self-test kit, feeling more in control of her sexual health than ever before.