This information is intended for adults living with HIV/AIDS, to inform them about Social and Housing Services, how we work and what they can expect from us.
We work with people to help them continue to live as independently as possible and to help them continue to live in their own homes wherever possible. Among the services we may be able to arrange or provide:
- Social work services
- Someone to help you look after yourself at home
- Meals delivered to your home
- Day services for older people and people of working age
- Support for carers, including respite - short breaks from doing the caring - or sitting services
- Help if you are leaving hospital or have had a serious illness
- Advice, equipment and adaptations to help you continue living at home
- Residential care or supported living schemes
- A ‘drop-in’ service for the Deaf Community at Lewis House in Bath
- Information and advice about other services
Social Care Services are now delivered as Personal Budgets. This means that service users have more choice and control over their support. They can choose their services to be arranged by the Local Authority or they can arrange their own support using a Personal Budgets Direct Payment. This may involve making arrangements with an agency or employing your own staff.
To receive a service, you first need to have an assessment and be assessed against our eligibility criteria.
To organise an assessment contact the AccessTeam:
| The Access Team |
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Telephone:
01225 396000 |
We are open:
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday - 8.30am - 5.00pm
Wednesday - 9.30am - 5.00pm
Friday - 8.30am - 4.30pm |
There are also a number of easily downloadable information sheets containing related information. See the attachments below:
HIV Clinic at the centre for Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) - The clinic provides an HIV testing service, with pre- and post-test counselling and with results within one week. There are Health Advisors who offer advice on sexual health and treatment. The clinic can be contacted at the Royal United Hospital, Bath. Tel. 01225 824558 for health advisors Tel. 01225 824617 for clinic appointments
Terence Higgins Trust West
Provides a Drop-in Centre, buddying, counselling, support groups and complementary therapies.
Also provide information and training to individuals and community groups.
based at the Aled Richards Centre, 8-10 West Street, Old Market, Bristol.
Tel: 0117 955 1000
Gay Men’s Team
The project provides support, safer sex information, and advocacy for gay men of all ages in the Bath area.
Tel. 0117 955 1000 for an appointment
Regional Organisations
The Harbour
A specialist counselling and psychotherapy service for people living with AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses.
This includes people who are close to someone with a life-threatening condition, and people who have recently been bereaved.
30 Frogmore Street, Bristol, BS1 5NA.
Tel.0117 925 9348
The Living Room
A small voluntary organisation concerned with improving Respite and Hospice care for those affected by HIV and AIDS.
Can provide small grants to enable people to take the respite break that they choose.
28 Easton Business Centre, Felix Road, Easton, Bristol BS5 0HE
Tel. 0117 941 5804
Bristol Lesbian and Gay Switchboard
Advice, support and Information - telephone number is 0117 9221328 and the opening hours are Monday to Thursday (Open 8 -10pm every evening)
National Organisations
Body and Soul
A self-help organisation supporting women, heterosexual men, children and their families, living with, or affected by HIV/AIDS
Tel. 0207 833 4828
UK Coalition of People Living with HIV and AIDS
Tel. 0207 564 2180
Mainliners
Advice on HIV for injecting drug-users. Day Centre and outreach.
Tel. 0207 582 5434. Office. Tel. 0207 582 3338
NAZ Project
Education, prevention and support for the South Asian, Middle Eastern, North African, Latin American and Horn of Africa communities.
Tel. 0208 741 1879
Africa Advocacy Foundation
Tel. 0207 708 3649
Positively Women
Counselling and support services for women.
Tel. 0207 713 0444 (office) 0207 713 0222 (direct peer support services)
Positive Partners/Positively Children
support for children, women and men affected.
Tel. 0207 738 7333 (office)
The Terence Higgins Trust Lighthouse
The Trust aims to reduce the spread of HIV and to provide services which improve the health and quality of life of those affected by the virus. It also campaigns for greater public understanding of the personal, social and medical impact of HIV and AIDS.
Now has an African Team as well as resources produced especially for African men and women.
Tel. 0207 831 0330
The Terence Higgins Trust Lighthouse
provides a range of services including drop-in centre, quiet room, café and garden, a support and information service, day care, complementary therapies and training.
Tel. 0207 792 1200
National helpline numbers
National AIDS Helpline
24 hour helpline offering advice on HIV/AIDS
0800 567 123
Benefit Enquiry Line
Benefits advice. Mon-Fri 8.30-6.30 Sat. 9-1p.m.
0800 882 200
Terence Higgins Trust
Advice on HIV/AIDS Helpline every day 12 - 10 p.m.
0207 242 1010
AIDS Treatment Project
Info. On AIDS Treatments. Mon/Wed 6 -9p.m.
08459 470 047
For more information
If you or someone you know needs confidential information, advice, support or practical help, then telephone the Hospital Social Work Team on 01225 825308