ACET shortlisted for two CIM Marketing Excellence Awards

Two social marketing campaigns developed and delivered in 2010 by local charity 'AIDS Care Education and Training' (ACET Jersey) have been shortlisted for two Marketing Excellence awards by the Jersey branch of the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

Wise Up to BBVs is a 'whole prison' approach to tackling blood borne viruses at HMP La Moye. It has been shortlisted for the Marketing Achievement on a Small Budget Award.

The new training and education programme has been developed to reduce the spread of HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C both in the prison community and the wider community outside prison. It ensures that both staff and prisoners know how to protect themselves from infection and are aware of the benefits of immunisation and voluntary testing. 

The programme has three key messages: Get protected; Get tested; Get treated. To date, 97 per cent of prison staff have completed at least two hours training and 74 per cent have completed the full six-hour training course delivered by ACET Jersey staff at the prison.

During 2010 ACET Jersey run a local HIV prevention campaign aimed at improving young people's knowledge about HIV and reducing risky behaviour. This campaign has also been shortlisted for the Best Use of Media Award.

A recent survey showed that almost 50 per cent of young people have a dangerously low knowledge of HIV and AIDS, a considerable concern since one in ten of people diagnosed with HIV in the UK are under the age of 24. When young people were asked where they would turn to for information on HIV and AIDS, the internet was overwhelmingly cited as the first port of call.

The local campaign is entitled HIV in Jersey: It is real, it is here. Take responsibility. It has been developed using a series of animated film clips and an interactive quiz: Are you protected? which have been sponsored by, Standard Chartered Bank. Both areposted on the home page of ACET Jersey's website, www.acet.je. The campaign also uses DVDs, postcards, roadside banners and stickers to highlight the risks of contracting HIV in Jersey, and provide young people with the simple facts that could keep them safe.

Rosemary Ruddy, an ACET Trustee said: "As a tiny charity with just 2 staff we are thrilled to be shortlisted for these prestigious awards. Social marketing campaigns such as these are most effective when they activate people to make changes in their behaviour which will improve and protect their health. That usually takes time, but we are already seeing an increase in requests for voluntary testing and immunisation, as well as improved knowledge about BBVs and a commitment to change behaviour, as a direct result of these programmes."

 

Revised September 2011.

ACET shortlisted for two CIM Marketing Excellence Awards