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BODY & SOUL was formed in 1996 to address gaps in support services
for children, teenagers, women and
heterosexual men. These groups had found it difficult to gain support
within organisations are still primarily adult focused and gay-based.
They wanted a service that could meet they specific needs. BODY
& SOUL started with only £1,000 and a dedicated team of
Volunteer workers. Against outstanding odds BODY & SOUL has
grown to be London’s busiest most forward thinking support
centre for families living with, or closely affected by HIV/AIDS.
BODY & SOUL is very much a family-based organisation, providing
a safe space where women, heterosexual men and their families can
meet and gain support from others living with the fear, stigma and
isolation of HIV/AIDS. Many are eager to travel from all parts of
the UK to meet other families living with the same issues. BODY
& SOUL’s ethos empowers HIV+ people to make informed choices
for their future, supporting them through the journey of changing
the devastation of their HIV diagnosis, into positive thoughts and
actions. Services take a holistic approach, meeting emotional needs
through peer and one to one support; physical needs through the
provision of Complementary Therapies and various Health Services.
By addressing practical needs through advocacy and life skills workshops,
our self-help esteem of children, teenagers and adults accessing
BODY & SOUL.
BODY & SOUL provides a unique range of services; including TEEN
SPIRIT, the UK’s only group for teenagers who know about their
HIV status or a family member's. BODY & SOUL is the major organisations
supporting heterosexual HIV+ men. Adult s Services include a weekly
Family Day, working with Great Ormond Street Hospital’s Family
HIV Clinic; Secessions every Tuesday evening (alternating between
a mixed group for women/heterosexual men and a women only group).
Group Support sessions bring people together to share coping strategies
and information. The provision of a hot nutritious meal allows time
for people to build up vital networks, which can be accessed outside
support sessions. People can also access/information services; discussion
groups/ workshops covering many issues e.g. treatments, healthy
living, relationships and telling children about HIV/AIDS. Holistic
Health services, include one-to-one Treatment Advice, Counselling,
Complementary Therapies, Yoga & a popular Homoeopathy Clinic,
are provided within each Support Session and during the day on Thursdays.
Health Services are valued for assisting people living with HIV/AIDS
to decrease stress and boost the immune system.
BODY & SOUL believes that the power to share concerns and experiences
is as vital for children and teenagers, as it is for adults. BODY
& SOUL supports over 600 children/ teenagers and is unique in
providing support to children as primary Service Users (independently
of an adult). We aim to support children/teenagers to develop their
skills and help re-build confidence that can damaged by HIV within
the family. The Children’s Service is divided into age appropriate
areas—under 3yrs; 3-9yrs and The BaSe (the BODY & SOUL
Experience), which is for 10-12yrs.
One-to-one emotional support is available for children/teenagers
experiencing behavioural problems, to those who have been told of
their HIV status or a family member's, and/or have been bereaved.
Counselling can be set up as appropriate. A teacher provides Study
support for children/teenagers, acknowledging many of who will miss
school through illness, but in their own or members/s within the
family. By listening to children who attend, we have developed a
smaller monthly group for 10-12 year olds who know their HIV status.
Like our regular group for HIV+ teenagers, this gives children an
opportunity to ask questions about HIV and talk through the impact
of their HIV status has on their lives, helping to make living with
HIV seem less frightening.
“Both my parents are HIV+ and I
was born with HIV. I’m taking Combination Treatments at the
moment and that means taking three sorts of tablets every day. TEEN
SPIRIT has helped me a lot, just come here and meet people in the
same situation in really reassuring”
Mark aged 13
Within 5 years, the numbers of families registered with BODY
& SOUL has grown from 200 to over 1,600 families; registering
over 25 new adults and teenagers each month. With the latest statistics
showing 1 person is diagnosed HIV+ every 3hrs in the UK (majority
of whom have contracted HIV through sex between men & women)
and only a small full-time staff team of 5 - your support is vital.
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