Organisations across Torbay are coming together this February to mark HIV Testing Week 2026, encouraging people to test for HIV, learn more about prevention, and access support - while reminding residents that free, confidential HIV testing is available all year round.

HIV Testing Week supports the HIV Action Plan for England, which aims to end new HIV transmissions by 2030 through earlier diagnosis, increased testing, improved awareness, and better access to prevention and care. While national progress has been made, late diagnoses are a focal point for the new action plan. Late diagnoses are linked to people not realising that HIV can affect anyone, this can be down to stigma or misinformation but the key issue is that this leads to a lack of testing.

Across Devon and Torbay, people can access free HIV testing through sexual health clinics, community services and online postal testing. HIV Testing Week provides a visible reminder to get tested, but testing does not stop when the week ends – it is available 365 days a year.

HIV is not an issue resigned to the past. Anyone who is sexually active can be affected, regardless of gender, sexuality, age or background, and regular testing is a normal part of looking after your health.

There have been major advances in HIV prevention and treatment:

• U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable) means people living with HIV who are on effective treatment cannot pass the virus on.
• PrEP is a highly effective medication that prevents HIV and is freely available through sexual health services.
• Early diagnosis means people can live long, healthy lives and prevents onward transmission.

Despite this, stigma and outdated assumptions about who HIV affects can still stop people from testing. HIV Testing Week aims to challenge these myths, encourage conversations about sexual health, and make people aware of the support that is available locally.

Across Torbay, people can access free HIV testing through sexual health clinics, online postal testing, and a range of community testing and outreach events taking place during HIV Testing Week. These events are designed to make testing easy, accessible and stigma-free.

Community testing and outreach events this week include:

• February 9, Wellbeing in Action, Newton Abbot — 2pm–6pm
• February 10, Brixham Library — 11am–2pm
• February 11, Shekinah (Torquay) — 2pm–4pm
• February 12, Paignton Library — 10am–1pm

Mags Davies, CEO of The Eddystone Trust, said: “HIV Testing Week is a great opportunity to pause and think about our sexual health, but it’s also important people know that testing is always available.

"Too many people still believe HIV isn’t something they need to think about. Normalising regular testing, alongside promoting PrEP and U=U, is key to reducing stigma and preventing new diagnoses here in  Torbay.”

The Eddystone Trust is working in partnership with Devon Sexual Health to ensure people across the region know how and where to access testing and prevention services.

Abbey Eboigbe, HIV clinical nurse specialist at Devon Sexual Health said: “Everyone should know their HIV status. Testing is free, easy, and accessible through a number of healthcare services – including Devon Sexual Health clinics. National HIV Testing Week is a great prompt to get up to date with your testing, but also a reminder that testing is available 365 days a year.”

Councillor Hayley Tranter, Torbay Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult and Community Services, Public Health and Inequalities, said: “Early diagnosis can save lives. HIV Testing Week reminds us that anyone can be affected, and that acting early makes a real difference. I encourage residents to take up the free testing offer in Torbay this week.”

Anyone living in Devon or Torbay can find out more about HIV testing, PrEP, and local support services by visiting eddystone.org.uk or devonsexualhealth.nhs.uk.

HIV Testing Week runs from Feb 9 to 15. Whether during the week or at any time of year, taking an HIV test is a simple step that protects your health and helps end new HIV transmissions.