Support for people with HIV/AIDS
In Barking and Dagenham, the number of people who are affected
by HIV is increasing. HIV is not confined to particular groups in
the community. It is caught through high risk activities like
unprotected sex. Some people have caught HIV/AIDS through blood
transfusions they had a long time ago, before blood products were
tested. There are people affected in all areas of the
community.
What help is available?
If you are living with HIV/AIDS, or caring for someone who is,
there is help available. We work with health professionals and
voluntary organisations to help people living with HIV, and their
carers and families. You may need social, physical, medical,
emotional or financial support.
Current medical treatments for the symptoms of HIV have improved
radically so that most people are able to live with HIV with little
or no support. However, some people find that they need help with
practical things like washing and dressing, or preparing meals.
We might be able to help you by providing care services, or
telling you about local services that can offer you
support.
Who can get help?
If you need help from the Council, you will need to have an
assessment. We will use this to find out what kind of support you
need and whether you will need to pay for it.
What is an
assessment?
Confidentiality
We will treat all of your information as confidential. We will
only share it with people outside Adult and Community Services if
you give your consent, unless someone's safety is at risk or the
law requires it. Only staff who are involved in providing the
services you need will have any information about you.
Contact information
If you want to speak to us about HIV, you can ring our
Intake and Access Team. They will record your request for support
and assistance confidentially, and pass your details to the
relevant team. This team will arrange to meet with you and
carry out an assessment. This will be done in confidence, and in a
setting in which you feel comfortable.
Getting in touch
Adult Intake and Access Team
Phone: 020 8227 2915
Minicom: 020 8227 2462
Email: intaketeam@lbbd.gov.uk
Support groups and helplines
There are a number of local and national helplines that
can offer support, advice and counselling to people affected by
HIV.
CARESS - Care & support for those affected by HIV
& AIDS
Phone: 020 8220 0112
Fax: 020 8220 0112
Email: office@caressonline
.org
Positive East
Phone: 020 7791 2855
Web: www.positiveeast.org.uk
National AIDS/HIV Helpline
Phone: 0800 567 123 (or 0800 717 2227 for other languages)
African AIDS Helpline
Phone: 0800 0967 500
Help and advice for African people who are affected by HIV/AIDS and
live in England. Languages include English, French, Shona, Swahili,
and Luganda.