SHIFT EU funding

About the funding

Name of funded programme - Interreg 2 Seas Mers Zeeen SHIFT Programme

The development and evaluation of SHIFT, a programme about sexual health in the over 45 year olds ran from March 2019 to March 2023.

Kent County Council were one of the partners in the project which involved 11 organisations from the UK, the Netherlands, France and Belgium. The project engaged with those over 45 years of age, to create a tailored sexual health and wellbeing model.

The aim of SHIFT was to create a network of links with organisations who work directly with the vulnerable groups to help get people engaged and talking, so they know how to and can access services and look after their sexual health into middle age, and beyond.

The e-learning health and wellbeing training programmes for sexual health professionals and for the wider workforce will remain accessible through the SHIFT website.

The hub provides useful information and access to resources.

Aims and objectives

To increase the development of social innovation applications in order to make more efficient and effective local services to address the key societal challenges in the 2 Seas area.

To empower people aged over 45 to participate in sexual health services and improve their sexual health and wellbeing, with an additional and specifically adapted focus on socio-economically disadvantaged groups across the 2Seas area. The empowerment will avoid assumption by using insight gathering and testing existing evidence.

Anticipated outcomes

Improve awareness in the target groups and increasing wellbeing. Testing for STIs and HIV and avoidance of undiagnosed transmitted STIs and HIV amongst the over 45s and socio-economically disadvantaged groups.

This will lead to improving the quality of life of people aged over 45 (with specific focus on vulnerable groups) & help reduce health inequalities.

Key benefits for Kent

increased engagement with migrants and the homeless over the age of 45 years on health and well being
improved communication and communication skills within these groups to identify and improve their sexual health
opportunities for healthcare and non-health care staff in Kent to further develop skills to engage with the targeted groups on sexual health
opportunities for partners in Kent to benefit from shared learning with European partners and through the co-production of resources with the targeted groups.

SHIFT EU funding

About the funding

Partners

Aims and objectives

Anticipated outcomes

Key benefits for Kent