News / coronavirus
HIV charity launches coronavirus emergency appeal
Brigstowe has been supporting people in Bristol living with HIV for 24 years and, in the last month, has seen the number of calls received almost double.
In response to the increased demand for the charity’s services, a Gofundme has been launched.
The charity is aiming to raise £3,000 to support people in Bristol living with HIV during the coronavirus pandemic.
is needed now More than ever
Since March 17 the Brigstowe office has been closed, with staff working from home to support those with HIV, especially as these people are identified as a vulnerable group under Government guidelines.
Covid-19 is likely to be worse in those with a ‘weakened immune system’. This does not mean that all people with HIV are considered at an increased risk. Those on HIV treatment with a good CD4 count and an undetectable viral load are not considered to have weakened immune systems. A ‘good’ CD4 count means anything over 200.
Bridgstowe are supporting those with HIV through the pandemic
However, with community support increasingly limited, the charity has seen a sharp increase in those needing help.
“The amount of support being asked for by our community is unprecedented – particularly from those without access to technology and those seeking asylum who have no access to public funding,” says Aled Osborne, who works for Brigstowe.
“Anything raised over our target will enable us to keep raising awareness and dispelling stigma through online platforms. This work would usually be funded through community-based events which are no longer taking place.”
“Universal Credit is severely overwhelmed and consistently experiencing unmanageable queues,” says Jodie, a senior advice and support worker at Brigstowe.
“The system can be very difficult to negotiate and many people just cannot deal with this anxiety. Without our support this can have a direct impact on their mental health which can affect their ability to support the children in their household.”
Money raised through the charity’s emergency fund will help with hardship payments so that the clients in greatest need have enough money for medication and food, support those worried about going in to work but who haven’t disclosed their status to their employer, help destitute clients access the right technology to speak to their support worker or to home school their children, and enable regular wellbeing check-ins with those who need them most.
Donate to the Gofundme at www.gofundme.com/f/emergency-covid19-fund
If you need support, go to www.brigstowe.org
All photos: Bridgstowe
Read more: Fundraiser launched to help vulnerable queer people
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
