BODY & SOUL PATRONS

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Anita Roddick
Gordon Roddick
Lolita Chakrabarti
Adrian Lester

APPEAL FROM OUR PATRONS

We ask for your support at a time when the public view of people living with HIV/AIDS is under scrutiny. 20 years on, HIV/AIDS is still surrounded by misunderstanding and prejudice. Primarily we are asking you to join us in the fight to maintain the UK's only support organisation that provides a life-line to 1,600 families, 600 children and 150 teenagers living with, or closely affected by HIV/AIDS-BODY & SOUL offers vital support and information -providing a chance to rebuild ones life against the fear and isolation that comes with being HIV+.

1 person is diagnosed HIV+ every 3hrs in the UK; 60% of new infections in 2001 were contracted through heterosexual sex; 49,000 people in the UK have been diagnosed HIV+; 1/3 are currently unaware of their HIV+ status. Source: Public Health Laboratory Service 05. 2002 - So why don't we know these facts?

BODY & SOUL started in 1996 with 200 families, no 'home' but the challenge to support a group of people whose needs were not being met within the HIV sector; children, teenagers, women, heterosexual men and their families living with, or closely affected by HIV/AIDS. Numbers seeking support have doubled year on year. Nearly 300 people a week attend BODY & SOUL's unique family-based services from all parts of London and the UK. BODY & SOUL remains, the only organisation in the UK that provides support to teenagers, TEEN SPIRIT, who know they are living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. Despite the unique approach, this organisation now faces an uncertain future as refurbishment at The Royal Homoeopathic Hospital has forced them into temporary offices.

Our challenge is to find safe central London premises from which they can provide their vital support services.

"I have yet to find a group with such a cohesive approach to integrating all the different sectors of the HIV community and the availability of an area for specifically minority groups & heterosexuals is of great value since many of the mainstream organisations purely focus on 'African' and 'gay' services.". Dr Mike Youle MB chB Associate Specialist-HIV Medicine Royal Free Hospital 03.05.2002

We need to act now. Whilst BODY & SOUL is homeless many families are struggling to maintain their health and well being. The urgency is even stronger for the many children and teenagers living with the prejudice that society enforces. BODY & SOUL is often the only place they can truly be themselves.

Please help us take up the challenge to ensure this organisation has a future. We ask for your support for the Commitment to Change Appeal and media campaign to help raise funds to secure a permanent home for BODY & SOUL, maintaining a safe haven to cope with the devastation of an HIV+ diagnoses.

"I have watched many clients transformed from lonely and desperate individuals, at the point of psychological collapse, to people who are able to regain their sense of well-being and to take control of their lives once more, with the help and support of BODY & SOUL. For the teenagers and young people there is an obvious joy in having a forum where they are understood and valued for who they are, and where they are able to explore the impact of their own ill health and/or that of family members in a safe and supportive environment." Sarah Woodhouse, Birnberg Peirce and Partners, Solicitor specialising in immigration issues for HIV+ people 09.05.2002

We have supported BODY & SOUL for the last five years, and we know it changes people's lives. We ask you to give what you can and be part of this change.

Anita Roddick, Gordon Roddick, Lolita Chakrabarti, Adrian Lester

June 2002

"When I am on the street, I can't tell them about my HIV status otherwise, that's it - I'm done for. TEEN SPIRIT has helped me so much, 'cos I mean I can be open here. I never thought I would find a place like this, but I have."
Peter (aged 13) HIV+ Teen Spirit member