'Quilt It in School' Raising Awareness of HIV

ABOUT THE HIV AWARENESS QUILTApproximately 101,200 people are living with HIV in the UK with 1 in 7 people not realising they have HIV,  as they haven't had a recent test.  The 'Quilt it in School' is a new Eyes Open project for 2017/8 that aims to continue with the creation of Quilts to raise awareness of challenging

the stigma around HIV.  Pupils are encouraged to be creative and submit quilt squares for a new quilt that will tour schools, academies and colleges across the area.*  

Pupils up to the age of 19 years old,  can take part using a variety of methods including, paint, spray paint, iron on transfers, fine needle work or any materials you desire.  

Panels can be created privately or using quilting traditions of groups coming together to create something special.

Closing date to submit panels will be by 4:00pm on Wednesday 20 December, 2017

(*within Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland and Sunderland)

VIEW FULL DETAILS ONLINEwww .eyesopenart .org

Facebook : eyesopenuk Twitter : @EyesopenHIV

MAKE A PANEL FOR THE HIV AWARENESS QUILT

If you are aged 19 years old or under, get involved with your school, academy or college and make a contribution to the 2017/18 HIV Awareness Quilt. It isn’t complicated or require the skills associated with artists and sewing experts. Use paint, spray-paint, iron on transfers, fine needlework or handmade appliques to make a panel. Your design could be based on

- Highlighting solidarity against the stigma of HIV - Raising awareness of HIV - Encouragement for those living with HIV

The theme for the quilt is ‘Raising awareness of HIV’ and it will be used to help challenge stigma. Therefore, we would ask that you do not use the word ‘AIDS’ on your panel. In the 1980s and early 1990s HIV treatment wasn’t good at fighting the virus and most people with it were eventually diagnosed with AIDS. But now anti-HIV drugs can control (but not completely get rid of) the virus and far fewer people in Britain develop serious HIV-related illnesses.

Local people living with HIV have told us how much they dislike the term ‘AIDS’, as it shows a lack of understanding and encourages stigma and discrimination. Please help us to raise awareness, fight stigma and show solidarity with those who are living with and affected by HIV by designing a panel with a positive message which reflects the reality that people living with HIV can live long, healthy and happy lives.

The Closing date to submit panels will be Wednesday 20 December, 2017

Here in a few easy steps is how to create a panel for The Quilt

DESIGN YOUR PANEL

The design criteria is flexible apart from the size of the panel (see illustration) and that it must not contain any personal identifiable information such as name, addresses etc. We also reserve the right to not to include a panel if it containsanything considered unsuitable, such as language/images that might be considered obscene or offensive.

CREATE YOUR PANEL

In constructing your panel you might want to use some of the following techniques: • Applique: Sew fabric, small mementos or ribbon onto the background fabric. Glue isn’t recommended as it won’t last. . • Paint: Brush on textile paint or colour-fast dye, or use an indelible ink pen. Please don’t use 3D or ‘puffy’ paint; they are too sticky. • Stencils: Trace your design onto the fabric with a pencil, lift the stencil, then use a brush to apply textile paint or indelible markers. • Collage: Make sure that whatever materials you add to the panel won’t tear the fabric (avoid bulky or sharp objects for this reason). • Photos: The best way to include non-copyright photos or words is to photocopy them onto iron-on transfers, iron them onto 100% cotton fabric and sew that fabric to the panel. Unfortunately we are unable include identifiable images of people. If you require a template or further information, please contact us

The quilt will need to be durable as it will be folded and unfolded numerous times. A medium-weight, non-stretch fabric such as a cotton or poplin works best.

Your design should be 18cm x 18cm in the centre of a panel of 24cm x 24cm leaving a blank border of 3cm around your design to allow for the seam (see illustration below).

If you would like to make a larger panel, the measurements would be a design of 36cm x 36cm with a 3cm seam allowance making a panel size of 42cm x 42cm.

CHOOSE YOUR MATERIALS

When we receive a new panel it will be logged and examined for durability. We anticipate that some panel may require hemming to adjust for size; others may need reinforcement or minor repairs. Once sewn and edged it will be stored by Eyes Open until the quilt is complete and ready for display along with details of who has contributed to the quilt.

HOW YOUR PANEL BECOMES PART OF THE QUILT

Complete a makers form as this provides us with vital information about you and your panel.

Once your panel is completed there are several ways you can submit it. Please contact your local Eyes Open Representatives listed below.

Newcastle Upon Tyne: Mark Ellerby-Hedley, New Croft Centre, Market Street East, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 6ND mark.ellerby-hedley@nuth.nhs.uk

Sunderland: Laura Cassidy, People Services Directorate, Public Health, Sunderland City Coucil, Rm 3.103, Civic Centre, Burdon Road, Sunderland, SR2 7DN laura.cassidy@sunderland.gov.uk

North Tyneside & Northumberland: Jane Telfer, Specialist Health Improvement Service, Epsom Drive, Ashington, Northumberland, NE63 8BD Jane.telfer@nhct.nhs.uk

Closing Date for Panels: 4:00pm on Wednesday 20 December 2017

COMPLETE A FORM AND SEND US YOUR FINSHED PANEL

Steve Paske, was a former team leader for sexual health promotion and a much valued member of the Eyes Open Steering Group. Although sadly no longer with us, in his memory the Paske Award is presented annually by Eyes Open. It is a prestigious award for HIV innovation and celebrates the most forward thinking approaches in raising awareness of HIV and is nothing short of the gold standard in schools and community based sexual health and HIV work. It is awarded for outstanding contribution towards raising awareness and reducing the stigma of HIV.

The 2017 Paske Award will be awarded to the school, academy or college who submit the most innovative panel to raise awareness of HIV.

THE PASKE AWARD

The Eyes Open Committee are looking to display the quilt in various locations in Newcastle Upon Tyne, Sunderland, North Tyneside and Northumberland as part of their work in raising awareness of HIV and World AIDS Day.

Please do not hesitate to contact us, if your school, academy or college would be interested in having the quilt on display for a short period of time.

QUILT TOUR

MORE ABOUT EYES OPEN  

Eyes Open are the regional steering group raising awareness of HIV and World AIDS Day. We are supported by Blue Sky Trust, MESMAC, SHINE, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust, Newcastle City Council, North Tyneside Council, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust, Northumberland County Council and Sunderland City Council

2017 PANEL SUBMISSION FORM

'Quilt It in School' Raising Awareness of HIV

I confirm that the panel is 18cmx 18cm with a 3cm seam allowance added

I acknowledge that the Eyes Open will be the owner of this panel and accompanying documents. They also hold the final decision as to what panels can be included in the finished quilt. In submitting a panel to Eyes Open any right, title or interest I have has been transferred to Eyes Open

I am happy for my name (or name of your school, academy or college) to be included in the panel reference grid that will be available to view with the completed quilt.

Makers Name to be included in the reference grid:

Age:

Name of School/Academy/College:

Signed:

Tell us a little bit about your panel. What inspired or motivated you to do this panel (no more than 50 words)