The Worcester Aids Foundation, a charity that provides support, information and advice to people living with HIV and Aids in Worcestershire is celebrating having received a grant worth £37,700. The funding has been made by the Lloyds TSB Foundation for England and Wales through its community programme and will support the charity to develop and increase the services they offer to people living with HIV/Aids and their families over the next three years. Since 2007 the Lloyds TSB Foundation has made grants worth £576,000 to charities tackling disadvantage in Worcestershire.
For 20 years the Worcester Aids Foundation has provided a range of practical and emotional support services to anyone infected, affected or simply worried by HIV, living in Worcestershire and Herefordshire. The charity offers advice on a broad range of issues, including physical and mental health, medication, money, debt, employment rights and housing. Emotional support provided by the Foundation includes befriending, counselling and advice on living with HIV.
The Worcester Aids Foundation also works to raise awareness of HIV and Aids in order to reduce the risks of infection and to overcome stigma. They offer training for people working with HIV positive individuals such as probation officers and social workers, as well as education programmes for young people.
Funding from the Lloyds TSB Foundation will allow the Worcester Aids Foundation to develop and increase its services, which currently support over 200 people living with HIV or Aids each year and a further 1,500 family, friends and others affected by the disease. With their help many more people will enjoy an improved quality of life and better choices and chances, whilst living with HIV or Aids.
Liz Bayley, funding co-ordinator at the Worcester Aids Foundation commented on the importance of the grant, “Lack of information and mis-information is a big problem for those with HIV or Aids and for the wider community. This funding will allow us to improve the quality and reach of information available so that everybody that needs support and advice can access it.”
Lloyds TSB Foundation grant manager for West Midlands, Peter Cunnison, added, ”It was clear from my visit that this organisation achieves a great deal in helping people with HIV and Aids to overcome the challenges and stigma that they can face. The Lloyds TSB Foundation is delighted to support their work in tackling disadvantage in Worcestershire.”
To find out more about the support available from the Worcester Aids Foundation please visit their website www.worcesteraidsfoundation.org.uk
