Walsall Council is encouraging residents in Bloxwich, West Midlands, to take advantage of free, confidential HIV testing as part of National HIV Testing Week (9–15 February 2026). The drive aims to help people learn their status early so they can access modern HIV treatment and live healthy lives.
Testing and advice are available through local services including the Walsall Integrated Sexual Health (WiSH) service (bookable via the WiSH website), and via pop-up outreach in community settings and participating local pharmacies. Residents can also order free home testing or self-sampling kits through the national portal promoted by the Starts With Me campaign (freetesting.hiv).
Organisers note that rapid self-tests give results within about 15 minutes, while point-of-care finger-prick tests performed in clinics typically provide results within minutes (often around 20 minutes). Health officials say early diagnosis is important because people who start and stay on effective antiretroviral treatment can maintain an undetectable viral load and do not pass HIV on to others.
Public-health bodies including the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) highlight that increasing testing and targeted outreach are crucial to reducing late diagnoses and improving outcomes. The Terrence Higgins Trust and its Starts With Me campaign stress that HIV is now a manageable condition and that regular testing is a routine part of looking after your sexual health.
For appointments, local clinic details and to order a free home test kit, visit the Walsall Sexual Health (WiSH) website or the Starts With Me / freetesting.hiv portal.
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