Black men's worker
Stephen is the Black Men’s Worker with West London Gay Men’s Project, specialising in outreach with Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) and African Men who have Sex with Men (MSM). Stephen is an HIV positive Black Gay man himself, with a wealth of experience. His role involves working in various venues for Black men, such as Caribana and Bootylicious. WLGMP also has a presence at UK Black Pride each year. As a health trainer, Stephen works one to one with men giving safer sex advice and supplies, and offers support at the West 6 clinic (West London Centre for Sexual Health), every Tuesday. He also represents WLGMP at BME workshops, conferences and events. Stephen offers experience, empathy, practical assistance, support and referrals to appropriate agencies, as well as sometimes just a listening ear.
Stephen says:
‘I enjoy and feel proud to be a Black male finally in my life after a very difficult childhood in care. I believe that our community is powerful beyond measure, we can harness that power, become enlightened, empowered,taking care of our health both spiritually materially and physically.
Stephen is a qualified person-centred therapist and counsellor (BACP member), and worked at Antidote for 3 years counselling LGBT men and women with drug-alcohol substance abuse. Although he doesn’t practice counselling with WLGMP, the experience comes in really useful when interacting with people.
Stephen can be reached by emailing blackmen@westlondongmp.org.uk or by calling the WLGMP helpline 0800 587 8302.