HIV support

HIV (human immuno-deficiency virus) is a virus that attacks a person's immune system: the body's defence against infections. If a person is infected they are more vulnerable to infections.

When a certain amount of damage has been done to the immune system, or if a person is very ill because of this, they may be diagnosed as having AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). People infected with HIV can remain healthy for years before developing AIDS - and may not even know they are infected.

Tower Hamlets Council hospital social work team offers advice and support to anyone who has HIV or AIDS. The team is based at Royal London Hospital.

To be eligible for an assessment, a person must be between 18 and 65-years-old, a resident of Tower Hamlets, and have a diagnosis of HIV. We can offer an assessment of your circumstances and how we might help. We can provide information on housing and welfare rights and referrals to clinical nurse specialists for support with social, psychological and physical needs.

Other practical matters that we may be able to assist with include travel permits, housing transfers, home care, home adaptation and equipment, and respite care.

You can refer yourself or ask a hospital social worker, nurse, drop-in centre staff or buddy to help. We work closely with other services within the voluntary sector, health services and other Tower Hamlets departments, such as the Homeless and Housing Advice Service.

For more information about HIV support in Tower Hamlets, contact the community team on 020 7364 2243. Or you can call the Royal London Hospital social work team on 020 7377 7774.

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Useful information

 

HIV AIDS

Crusaid

Leading UK charity devoted to fundraising on behalf of people living with HIV and AIDS.

Tel: 020 7539 3880
Fax: 020 7539 3890
Email: office@crusaid.org.uk

Web: www.crusaid.org.uk

Food Chain

The mission of the Food Chain is to improve the health and well being of London’s population living with HIV by alleviating hunger and malnutrition.

Food Chain volunteers prepare and deliver free, delicious, nutritionally balanced, individually tailored meals and groceries to people who, because of their illness, are housebound and unable to provide or prepare meals for themselves.

Tel: 020 7272 7272
Fax: 020 7272 2273
Email: info@foodchain.org.uk

Visit: www.foodchain.org.uk

GMFA (Gay Men Fighting AIDS)

The gay men’s health charity. Improving gay men’s health by increasing the control they have over their own lives.

Tel: 020 7738 6872
Fax: 020 7738 7140

Visit: www.gmfa.org.uk
Visit: www.gmfa.org.uk

Healthy Gay Living Centre

London-based organisation working with gay, bisexual men and men who have sex with other men. Outreach work in cruising and socialising places. Provides education, support, and advice on HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Tel: 020 7407 3550
Fax: 020 7407 3551

Visit: www.gmfa.org.uk

Jewish AIDS Trust

Provides the Jewish community with education, counselling and support in connection with HIV infection and AIDS.

Tel: 020 8446 8228
Fax: 020 8446 8227
Email: admin@jat-uk.org

Visit: www.jat-uk.org

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National AIDS Trust

Leading HIV/AIDS policy and advocacy organisation working to ensure that people in power take action on HIV. NAT works to improve the lives of people with HIV by promoting and arguing for sound policies on HIV and the resources to make them effective.

Tel: 020 7814 6767
Fax: 020 7216 0111
Email: info@nat.org.uk

Visit: www.nat.org.uk

NAZ Project

NAZ Project London provides HIV, AIDS and sexual health support services to the South Asian, Middle Eastern, North African, Horn of African and Latin American communities in London.

NAZ Project exists to challenge the myths and prejudices that exist about and within these excluded communities and to ensure that they have access to culturally and linguistically appropriate information, care and support. Its aim is to educate and empower these communities to face up to the challenges of the AIDS pandemic and to mobilise the support networks that exists to care for people living with HIV and AIDS.

Tel: 020 8741 1879
Email: npl@naz.org.uk

Visit: www.naz.org.uk

Terrence Higgins Trust (THT)

Leading HIV and AIDS charity in the UK and the largest in Europe. THT provides direct services to the groups most affected by HIV - gay men and UK African community. THT delivers health promotion, campaigns tackling discrimination against people with HIV and AIDS, and direct services across the UK.

Tel: 020 7812 1600
Email: info@tht.org.uk

Terrence Higgins Trust Direct

For information advice and support on HIV and sexual health

Tel: 0845 12 21 200

THT Direct Helpline: 0845 1221 200

National telephone-based information and advice service offering advice (including that on employment, benefits and housing) and practical and emotional support on a wide variety of issues relating to HIV.

Counselling: 020 7835 1495
Fax: 020 7242 0121
Email: info@tht.org.uk

Visit: www.tht.org.uk

UK Coalition of People Living with HIV & AIDS

UKC is a group of people living with HIV and AIDS, campaigning and providing services by and for people living with HIV and AIDS.

Tel: 020 7564 2180
Email: reception@ukcoalition.org

Visit: www.ukcoalition.org