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MESMAC is a gay and bisexual men's community support service with offices in Newcastle and Middlesbrough, but we cover the whole of North East England. We work with gay and bisexual men to increase the range of choices open to them.
Our services are:
- Open to all gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men, including those who are still unsure if they're gay or bisexual.
- For men who are HIV+, HIV-, or just don't know.
- Confidential.
How to contact us:
Our address in Newcastle:
11 Nelson Street,
Newcastle,
NE1 5AN
Phone: 0191 233 1333
Fax: 0191 233 1551
Minicom: 0191 233 2112
Our address in Middlesbrough:
4th Floor, Prudential House,
31-33 Albert Road,
Middlesbrough,
TS1 1PE
Phone: 01642 804400
Fax: 01642 809800
Minicom: 01642 732392
How to find us:
Click here to be taken to the AA auto route finder.
Simply put your address/postcode in and then MESMAC's Newcastle postcode (NE1 5AN) or our Teesside postcode (TS1 1PE) depending on which office you want to visit.
You should then have a planned route to us with the option of having a map included.
Text us:
Text:
mesmac
(space)
men (for generic information)
youth (for young people)
hiv (for questions around HIV)
tees (for Teesside information)
(space)
Then your message to: 60003
e.g. mesmac men Hi can you tell me where I can get free condoms & lube in Newcastle?
Phone Information and Advice:
You can contact us for all kinds of information, such as how to meet other gay and bisexual men, the gay scene, and safer sex. We offer the chance to talk about things like coming out, relationships, sexual abuse, Police and legal issues, and being married.
We have a large collection of leaflets and books about gay and bisexual issues which people can use and we provide copies of the free gay papers (e.g. The Pink Paper).
We also provide the following services:
- Groups
- One to one counselling
- Sexual health advice
- HIV 1 hour test
- 1-2-1 Support
- Free condoms and lube
- Anti-violence services
- Drop in service
- Helpline with 24 hour answer machine
- Archive and research resources
- Training around homophobia, sexual health etc
Latest News:
HIV 1 Hour Test
A new FREE one hour HIV testing service open to gay and bisexual men in the North East is now available in MESMAC offices in both Newcastle & Middlesbrough and from Teesside Positive Action also in Middlesbrough.
The test is a simple finger prick test with pre and post test counselling and results within the hour.
The Newcastle sessions are available every Tuesday between 5-7pm, for more details please contact MESMAC on 0191 233 1333.
The Middlesbrough sessions are available for drop-in between 12 noon and 6pm on Tuesday's and appointments can be made for other days and times if required. To make an appointment call MESMAC Teesside on: 01642 804400.
You can also get the Rapid Test from TPA (Teesside Positive Action).
Tel: 01642 254598 or click here to go to an information page.
The FASTEST service (Newcastle) was developed by THT, Newcastle GUM and MESMAC.
The Rapid Test service (Teesside) was developed by Teesside Positive Action, the Department of Infection & Travel Medicine - James Cook University Hospital - Middlesbrough and MESMAC North East.
PEP = 72 Hour HIV Exposure Treatment
PEP - POST EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS is available from GUM clinics and most Accident & Emergency centres across the North East
PEP could stop someone from catching HIV as long as the treatment is started within 72 hours (3 days) of unsafe sex or condom breakage occuring.
PEP involves taking anti-HIV drugs for 4 weeks and can have side effects. PEP is also not guaranteed to work.
If you would like more information contact MESMAC on 0191 233 1333 or go to www.pep.chapsonline.org.uk/
SYPHILIS Cases Increase in the North East
Newcastle GUM service has informed MESMAC of a huge increase in the reported cases of Syphilis in the North East!
Please take extra care when having sex, free condoms, lube and flavoured condoms are available from MESMAC. MENVELOPE packs containing condoms & lube are also available in some of the bars on the gay scene in Newcastle, Sunderland & Middlesbrough.
Free condoms & lube are also available in the regions gay saunas.
For more information on syphilis please look at the syphilis section in the 'safer sex information' pages on this site.
Homophobic Incidents Reporting
The ARCH racist reporting line has been expanded to homophobic incidents. This was developed by a sub group of the Newcastle LGBT workers network and Newcastle Council Community Development section.
From 17th May you can report homophobic incidents that have occurred in Newcastle .
You don't need to be able to prove that an event happened in order to report it. If you or someone you know has been the victim of homophobic harassment ARCH can help. You can report something that has happened to you, to someone else, or something you have witnessed
How do I report a homophobic incident to ARCH?
1) Call 0800 032 32 88. This 24-hour line is FREE even to mobiles and can be linked to language line.
2) Call into an ARCH reporting centre. These include:
- MESMAC, 11 Nelson Street, Newcastle, 0191 233 1333
- Lesbian Line, 0191 261 2277
- Metropolitan Community Church,07770 543 407
- Outpost, 13 St James Street, Newcastle, 0191 222 1937
- Any Newcastle City Council Customer Service Centre
- Any Your Homes Newcastle Housing Office
- Victim Support, 0191 2744274
Once you have told ARCH about your experience you decide what happens next. You can keep your details anonymous and you chose which agencies receive the information.
If you would like further information about ARCH please email:
Staff:
Newcastle Office:
: Manager.
: Community development worker specialising in outreach.
: Regional community development worker.
: Community development worker - Newcastle and North Tyneside & men who are HIV+.
: Community development worker, young gay and bisexual men.
: Outreach and group worker (part time).
: Administrator.
: Administrator (part time).
: Administration (part time).
: Counselling Co-ordinator (part time)
Middlesbrough Office:
: Site supervisor/ community development worker.
: Community development worker.
: Administrator (part time).
: Outreach and group worker (part time).
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