Beginnings

Following conversations with A&E staff in 2021, it became apparent that GBMSM ‘G’ related overdose admissions were given nothing, or a generic heteronormative handout on drugs on discharge. Addressing this, GMHC developed a Chemsex Resource Pack for St Thomas’ Hospital A&E (ED), where it was piloted. Contents were based on print resources already included in PIP PAC safer chemsex pack (with paraphernalia).

From ‘Chemsex Resource Pack’ to Safer 1

An expanded ‘Chemsex Resource Pack’ became the blueprint for SAFER 1 which also addressed requests from GBMSM for safer information without paraphernalia. The pack contained six booklets and leaflets:

• Safer chemsex (A5 booklet, 32 pages)
• Health and wellbeing (A5 booklet, 16 pages)
• Overdoses and calling 999 (A6 leaflet, 4 pages)
• HIV/ STI/ HCV “Risk-O-Meter” (A5 leaflet, 4 pages)
• Your rights on arrest (A6 booklet, 12 pages)
• Welcome and introduction (A5 folded leaflet, 4 pages)

Evaluation findings

• This is community-led campaign strongly indicates an appetite for health promotion like this. SAFER 1 demonstrates acceptability, reach, and perceived utility, exactly what was envisaged as an ‘opening salvo’.
• While the information contained in SAFER 1 can also be found at MENRUS.CO.UK, print resources still have value when they are well designed, relevant, and distributed in the right places.
• GBMSM remain a key audience and should not be sidelined or marginalised.
• Trust and confidence deficits with statutory systems, the NHS, government and police remain challenging.
• Those reading the evaluation saying ‘not sure there’s a demand, are not engaging in good faith reading of data and feedback included.

Evaluation report

Safer 1 Pack Evaluation Report (PDF)

Feedback

“This is superb. Amazing resource amazing … wow so no nonsense and the right language. Can you create an app that people would keep on their phones? Well done. Great to see such frank advice without judgement.”
“The simplicity and discrete nature of the resources is fantastic”
“Artwork is incredible. Bright and easy to read. More support organisations.”
“Well done. More please these are excellent resources.”
“Love the physicality of having something I can hold, read, and save for later to digest again. Great artwork, more please.”
Gay Men (GBMSM)

“I do engage with a lot of the chemsex services users in the clinic and these packs are just the resource I will be giving out. Thank you so much for sending them through to us and putting them together.”
Sexual Health Advisor, Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust

“I am just sending an email to say thank you for sending us some of the chemsex safer sex packs – they are really well made and look very good and helpful! I also wanted to offer our help in any future projects or collaborations. We are currently trying to set-up more chemsex services and resources here and thought these packs would be really helpful for that in future.”
Sexual Health Officer/ Sessional Recovery Officer, LGBT+ Charity

“It arrived and looks incredible. The content is so comprehensive, honest and really accessible. The artwork is fantastic too – congrats to whoever is responsible for that.”
Academic Clinical Fellow, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

“Thank you for sending us your safer packs – they are very well made up and have a lot of useful information!”
Senior Harm Reduction Lead, Adult Substance Misuse Service, London Local Authority