A motorhome is not uncommon in a motorway car park. But this one stands out: the pink flags in front of it can be seen from afar and the words "Herzenslust" are emblazoned on the side walls of the white Fiat bus. The motorhome arouses curiosity - and it should.
The vehicle attracts people not only here in the car park, but also outside gay bars and saunas where sex between men takes place. Where it is parked, men can find out about HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Anyone who wants to can have an HIV test done anonymously and free of charge - right on site in the "Counselling and Testing Mobile", or BuT-Mobile for short.
Close to the scene
"We want to offer our counselling as close to the scene as possible," explains Oliver Schubert from AIDS-Hilfe Nordrhein-Westfalen (AIDS-Hilfe NRW), which provided the eye-catching vehicle for the Heart's desire campaign has purchased.
The BuT-Mobil is practically a small mobile AIDS service centre: it provides counselling in a quiet atmosphere. If an HIV test is required afterwards, the visitor moves to the front of the bus. A doctor sits there and can carry out a quick test. The result is available after about 20 minutes. Both areas are separated by a soundproofed wall so that nobody can overhear what is being said in the other part of the bus.
"Of course, everything is a bit more cramped in a motorhome like this. But this consultation location is almost cosy," says Schubert with a laugh. "We even have an awning!"
The BuT-Mobil is intended to help reach men who have not been reached by previous prevention programmes. And the offer works: "Many of those seeking advice decide to take part spontaneously," reports Oliver Schubert. "They come to the sauna to relax and have a shag, but then they get involved in a counselling session after all." Another advantage of the service is that the BuT-Mobil is also available at times when the AIDS service organisation, doctors' surgeries and health authorities are closed.
Personal support after a positive test result
Most of the BuT teams work on a voluntary basis and the preventionists come from AIDS support centres and prevention groups in North Rhine-Westphalia. If a campaign is planned, they pick up the BuT-Mobil from Cologne. "Our volunteers are everyday experts," emphasises Schubert. "Gay men can turn to gay men with their questions." Those seeking advice can therefore be sure that they will receive unbiased advice.
In the event of a positive test result, there are always so-called BuT buddies on site who are HIV-positive themselves. On request, they will continue to look after those tested in the following days.
The BuT-Mobile was purchased two years ago - partly with the prize money of 10,000 euros that AIDS-Hilfe NRW won in 2008 at the Federal AIDS prevention competition of the Federal Centre for Health Education. Recognition for the innovative prevention concept "Counselling and Testing" (BuT). "The on-site counselling at scene locations and meeting places reaches people who would not seek counselling on their own," praised the jury.
The investment has paid off. The BuT-Mobil is also in use during the IWWIT Test Weeks 2010, which run until 15 November - most recently it was parked in front of "Mutti's Bierstube" in Bielefeld.
