Bexley
Care Trust
Working in partnership to ensure
the best health and social care for the community
Help for People with HIV and AIDS and their Carers
Information about the services which are available in Bexley Borough for
people with HIV and AIDS and their carers.
What services does the Council provide?
Help from Social Services
If you have HIV or AIDS we can provide social services to help you. You
may require day care, or help provided in your home. You may need equipment
to support you in daily living or adaptations to your property to improve
access. You may want to discuss personal problems such as relationships
or how to talk to your children about your situation.
We can also provide advice and support for you if your partner, or someone
you are caring for, has HIV or AIDS. If you are a young person caring for
a parent we can provide help and support.
Anything you tell us will be in strict confidence. We will not pass information
on to anyone else unless you give us permission.
You can find out about the range of services available from Bexley Council
by contacting the HIV Coordinator at:
Services for Asylum Seekers and New Arrivals
This team is based at the Civic Offices. They provide assistance for
asylum seekers and new arrivals who need help settling into the Bexley
area and gaining access to essential services: housing, health, education
and utilities. You can contact the team on 020 8294 6865
/ 020 8294 6866 / 020 8294 6867.
Help with Housing Problems
The Housing Department can give you information on the welfare benefits
you may be entitled to claim.
They can provide you with information on the services they provide and
explain the rehousing options that may be available.
The department can provide advice if you are in financial difficulty
which may lead to you losing your home. They can help you prioritise your
debts and explain the financial options which may be available to help
you keep your home.
If you are having problems with your landlord the department can give
you information on your rights and, if applicable, can prosecute landlords
who harass or illegally evict their tenants.
For further information about housing services contact the Housing Services
Manager, on 020 8294 6495.
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Help for People who use Alcohol and Drugs
Social Services Drug and Alcohol Team
If you are using drugs and / or alcohol and want to become substance
free you can speak to the drug and alcohol team who will give you support
and advice about where to get appropriate treatment. They may also be able
to help with the costs. You can telephone yourself or your keyworker can
contact the team for you. To contact the team telephone 020 8836 7490 / 020 8836 7491 / 020 8836 7492 / 020 8836 7494.
Signpost
Signpost provides treatment, support and advice on drug, alcohol and
steroid use; safer sex information; services for young people; Hepatitis
B and C testing; practical advice on staying healthy; support to families
and friends; needle exchange; outreach work; HIV counselling and testing.
- Erith Health Centre
50 Pier Road
Erith, Kent
DA8 1RQ
- Telephone: 01322 357940
Bexley and Greenwich Resource for Alcohol
BAGRA provides a day care service, drop in, assessments and one to one
counselling for people with alcohol problems.
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Community Health Services
Home Medical Care
The clinical Nurse Specialist HIV/AIDS and the HIV Link Nurse can help
with home nursing care, support and advice for people with HIV, their partners,
carers and families.
They can advise on hospice and respite facilities, if these are needed.
The Clinical nurse Specialist and the HIV Link Nurse are based at:
- Address: 245 Broadway, Bexleyheath, Kent DA6 8DB
- Telephone: 020 8304 3760
- Clinical Nurse Specialist pager: 07659 143818
- HIV Link Nurse pager: 07659 122504
The District Nursing Service
District Nurses are responsible for assessing the nursing and emotional
needs of anyone who is ill and is living at home. The aim of the District
Nursing Service is to promote a caring environment which reflects individual
choice and maintains independence for as long as possible.
If you want to be referred to a District Nurse contact your GP or ring
the Community Liason Nurse Desk on 020 8298 6031.
HIV Testing
For confidential HIV counselling and testing, information on safer sex,
free condoms, clean needles and syringes contact the HIV Counsellor on
020 8298 1071 (mobile 07774 903871).
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HIV Services provided by the Voluntary Sector
Harbour Trust
The Harbour Trust provides a range of services for people living with
HIV and AIDS, their carers and families.
Support Groups - for people living with HIV, gay men, carers and befrienders.
Fully trained advice and advocacy workers and volunteers are available
to make applications and give advice on benefits, services and other hardship
funds.
Trained volunteer befrienders offer individual emotional and practical
support to people living with HIV.
The Circle of Life children's activity programme consists of six half
day workshops of drama and play activities. The project is for children
who have a parent or close family member with HIV, and for children who
have been bereaved.
Harbour's small hardship fund may be able to help people living with
HIV or AIDS.
AHEAD (formerly Uganda Health Project)
AHEAD provides services for all African communities.
You can contact AHEAD for information and education on HIV/AIDS prevention,
transmission and treatment, advocacy and welfare rights advice.
Volunteers provide a range of practical and emotional support to families
infected/affected by HIV and AIDS.
- Contact AHEAD at: Suite C Building B, MacBean Centre,
MacBean Street, Woolwich, London SE18 6LW
- Telephone: 020 8316 4868
Positive Place
The Positive Place (PP) is a centre for the support and care of all people
affected by HIV and AIDS. PP provides a range of support services and activities
for people with HIV living in South East London. PP aims to provide quality
services in a safe and welcoming environment. Services are free and confidential.
To find out more contact PP at:
Body and Soul
Body and Soul provide services for women and children affected by HIV
including the Teen Spirit group for young people.
Other services provided by the Voluntary Sector
There are many services in Bexley provided by other organisations. Non
HIV specialist voluntary organisations and private care agencies can provide
help to people with HIV and AIDS and their carers.
For more information about voluntary services contact:
- Bexley Voluntary Service Council, 8 Brampton Road, Bexleyheath,
Kent DA7 4EY
- Telephone: 020 8304 0911
or
- Bexley Association for Disabled People, Whitehall Centre,
20 Whitehall Lane, Slade Green, Kent DA8 2DH
- Telephone: 01322 350988; email bexleyadp@btconnect.com
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