ThCell is not responsible for the content of external websites. Navigation and use of information on external websites is at the users own risk. ThCell is a wholly independent organisation. You should not consider any externally linked organisation or website as endorsed or recommended by ThCell. Links are provided, in good faith, to information you may find useful.
The Citizen Advice Bureau at http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/ offers advice on all benefit matters. You may need to make an appointment to attend your local office. Some Local Councils that provide HIV support Services. Also engage the CAB









to meet with their HIV clients once a week usually by appointment.
Look to your local council website to see if they provide HIV services in your area.
Benefits & Work found at http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/ is a site maintained by someone who was a welfare rights worker. It is a good repository for all benefit advice.
Justice for All http://www.justice-for-all.org.uk/Get-advice - Free legal advice, because your rights matter.
See the forum I have started on Benefits & Work on this issue.
The Disability Alliance UK can be found at http://www.disabilityalliance.org/. With an explanation of the "Special Rules" exercise found by clicking here.
For HIV specific welfare advice see the Support Agencies links page.
HIV/AIDS
AIDS helpline (Northern Ireland) Freephone
Tel: 0800 137437
Monday - Friday 10am to 5pm and 7pm to 10pm
Saturday 2pm to 5pm
AVERT
www.avert.org
Produces a range of leaflets for young people and adults on HIV and AIDS.
Body and Soul
www.bodyandsoul.demon.co.uk
Body and Soul is a self help organisation supporting women, heterosexual men, children and their families living with or closely affected by HIV and AIDS. Ongoing services include a women only support evening, a family support day, a monthly support evening for women and heterosexual men and TEENSPIRIT, the UK's only support group for teenagers from the age of 13 years and upwards, who know of their, or their family 's HIV status.
Brook Belfast
www.brook.org.uk
Provides information, advice and contraceptive supplies for young people up to the age of 19.
Tel: 028 9032 8866
Crusaid
www.crusaid.org.uk
The leading fundraising charity for AIDS relief in Britain. Crusaid is dedicated to maintaining the dignity and improving the quality of life of people with HIV.
Dublin AIDS Alliance
www.dublinaidsalliance.com
This charity is responsible for organising Irish AIDS Day.
fpaNI
www.fpa.org.uk
Provides information and advice on contraception and general sexual health and details of local family planning clinics.
Tel: 028 9032 5488 Belfast
Tel: 028 7126 0016 Londonderry
Genito Urinary Medicine (GUM) Clinics in Northern Ireland
Click Here for contact details and opening times
Health Development Agency
www.hda.org.uk
The Health Development Agency's role is to raise standards in public health. Its main functions are research and evidence, standard setting and capacity development.
Health Education Board for Scotland
www.hebs.com
The Health Education Board for Scotland is Scotland's national agency for health education, health promotion, health advice and health information.
Department of Health (England and Wales)
www.doh.gov.uk/sexualhealthandhiv
Health Promotion Division of the National Assembly for Wales
www.hpw.wales.gov.uk
International AIDS Vaccine Initiative
www.iavi.org
Love Life (developed by the former Health Education Authority)
www.lovelife.uk.com
National AIDS Manual
www.aidsmap.com
Europe's leading provider of information on HIV and AIDS. Publisher of the National AIDS Manual and AIDS Treatment Update (free to people affected by HIV). Information on local groups also available.
National AIDS Prevention Information Services (NHPIS)
www.hda-online.org.uk/html/nhpis/
Free, specialist information service on HIV health promotion, serving anyone with a professional interest in HIV prevention or education across England.
National AIDS Trust
www.nat.org.uk
For information on World AIDS Day press, publicity and research.
NAT have a section for people living with HIV/AIDS and that can be found here http://www.nat.org.uk/LivingWithHIV.aspx
Sexwise
Tel: 0800 282930
A confidential and free helpline for young people provides information, advice and guidance on all issues related to sex and relationships. Makes referrals to services where appropriate.
Terence Higgins Trust
www.tht.org.uk
Produces information and educational materials including leaflets, posters and videos about HIV and AIDS. Runs training courses and provides speakers and the CHAPS Project.
UNAIDS
www.unaids.org
Provides international statistics, information, publications and UNAIDS Best Practice Collection Technical Update(s) 1-22.
World AIDS Day
www.worldaidsday.org/
Coordinated by the National AIDS Trust and funded by the Department of Health.
So we had a budget yesterday, higher taxes for the rich, cuts in public services in the future not a happy picture. Its great that government is giving more to disabled children and to pensions.
However with an increasing welfare bill moving forward and the changes in the pipeline (the move from Incapacity Benefit to Employment & Support Allowance) we need to be vigilant and ensure that fairness for HIV+ people who are so disadvantaged especially in the work arena are not forgotten. Money in the public sector is going to become tighter, many more claiming from a finite "pot".
Extra funding for Job Centre Plus and the job creation scheme is welcome in so much as lets hope some of this translates into some training on the issues facing HIV+ people and to overcome the barriers they also face in returning to work.
Healthcare is also of concern. With cuts to healthcare budgets we need to ensure that healthcare providers treat HIV properly. ThCell isn't involved directly in the delivery of HIV healthcare, there are many people who campaign on all of our behalf here who are very knowledgeable but we must support their efforts where we can. Clearly our concern is with funding and priority to HIV & Mental Health, HCV and our desire for sexual equality in the HPV vaccination program for boys as well as girls (and Gardasil for both).
The everyday services that people with HIV may need and have been diminishing over the last decade are our concern and in the current climate we aim to ensure we are again treated equitably.
Yes the blog is back. I missed the "dialogue" nature of being able to chat about the issues.
Sarah Teather (Brent East, Liberal Democrat) | Hansard source
Dawn Primarolo (Minister of State (Public Health), Department of Health; Bristol South, Labour) | Hansard source
James Purnell seems to have been the target of a story concerning the state of a flat he no longer rents. Claiming £1600.00 in expenses for cleaning and such like.


