HIV & AIDS social respite centre, Tyddyn Bach Trust are stepping in to help North Wales HIV/AIDS patients as they once more lose out to vital services.
The North Wales and Cheshire branch of Body Positive has been forced to withdraw their mobile alternative therapy facility due to lack of funding from North Wales Health Trusts. Body Positive, a service whose aim is to help those affected with HIV & AIDS, had been using money earmarked for service users from neighbouring Cheshire to subsidise those affected in North Wales. However, after 10 years of subsidies Cheshire Health Authority has finally said enough is enough and North Wales must stand alone. Despite pleas to gain funding from other sources Body Positive have now been left with no alternative but to withdraw all services to North Wales.
On hearing of that people were being left high and dry Philip Kearton-Smith, Manager of Tyddyn Bach, immediately promised to try and come up with the cash to fund existing clients in the short term so they can continue with their much needed treatment.
“We know how crucial it is for people to receive this kind of treatment and are trying our utmost to help existing clients as part of our ongoing commitment to the community.” Says Mr Kearton-Smith. “Unfortunately, even if we can come up with the money it just means that other projects will be have to be delayed.”
“It’s so important that people continue to receive this service as it’s not just the actual treatment that people benefit from, it’s also the fact that the therapist is someone to talk to, get support from and break the circle of isolation.
“When you are alone with an illness such as this, sometimes one understanding person can make a tremendous difference. By effectively taking this person away you once more leave the individual feeling alone and desolate.”
One grateful service user, who didn’t want to be named, contacted Mr Kearton-Smith, saying: “I just wanted to say thank you for trying to help and for realising how important this is to us. People do benefit from reflexology, so thank you.”
People’s desire for anonymity is synonymous with HIV & AIDS due to the fear and prejudice which still surrounds the virus. This makes it even harder to secure funding in the first place as Mr Kearton-Smith explains:
“Unfortunately there is a catch 22 situation when any service for people with HIV or AIDS is lost. Because of the stigma and prejudice that goes alongside the virus people need support discreetly and won’t make a fuss to the relevant authorities when services like these are withdrawn.
“However, by not making a fuss the services are effectively allowed to just disappear. Then when you apply for funding to provide a much needed service you are informed that statistics show there isn’t a need as the people don’t exist!”
Manager of Cheshire and North Wales Body Positive, Sean Hood, totally agrees, he says:
“It’s a big relief knowing that the Tyddyn Bach Trust can continue to support this service, if only for existing clients. We know that if you suffer from HIV or AIDS you can really benefit from receiving therapies such as reflexology and aromatherapy. Most people are on very strong medication and really look forward to their treatment so they can just relax and try to forget their illness even for just one hour.”
Mr Hood continues: “While we are very aware of how much the people of North Wales need these treatments they will not come forward on an official level to say so. The stigma surrounding HIV & AIDS, especially within the smaller villages stops people speaking out.
“The worst thing is that if you have HIV or AIDS and live in either Swansea or Cardiff you’d be able to access all types of services. People in North Wales are losing out. It’s yet another service that’s been effectively lost for the people of North Wales.”
Despite being turned down for top up funding from the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Mr Hood now hoping that an outline proposal which has been agreed by Lottery funding can be turned into a successful bid.
“We are really hoping the Lottery can help us.”
