BodyPositive KENT Ltd. was formed in May 1996. To begin with two of us who are HIV positive and one person who is
HIV negative, got fed up with the local dis-empowerment of people with the virus. We decided to try and do something about it.
We formed the group. Since May 1996 we have had many good times, but they have ultimately been out weighed by the bad times, when I say bad times,
I mean the inability of many people, at that time, in Health and Social Services to even acknowledge the organisation, one Health Care Worker threw all our information in the bin,
and denied their HIV+ patients any options or support.
Thank god not everyone ignored us, and actually listened to us, and funded us. Since we began running we have raised approximately £20'000 from National appeals, and out of that we have had no money from Social Services and very little from Health, we do realise that these departments are very strapped for cash.
In March 1997, after nearly a year of very hard work, we had to face the facts, we did not have enough money to continue, so we must dissolve the
organisation.
Letters were sent out, but at the final hour we had a very large cash injection, and this time it was not only a National Organisation but a International Organisation.
After this we had to sit down and have a look at the way things were going, and called in a Management consultant. The rest as they say is history, shortly after that we received our
articles of incorporation, and become a company limited by guarantee. Shortly after that we received Charitable Company status, this was at record speed.
Our money worries are far from over, but we can see BodyPositive KENT Ltd. still here for the foreseeable future. And hopefully this year we may have more local funding.
We now have a board of five Directors/Trustees
BodyPositive KENT Ltd. provides services for all those people who are living with or affected by HIV/AIDS. Appropriate services are also available to the general public and to Service Providers. We have included some links below to further explain our services.
Information and awareness is one of BodyPositive KENT's prime services. We provide awareness through information to all who want it.
We have access to many
information resources and invaluable experience from people living with the virus.
We are also connected to the Internet and thus can provide up to date information on all
forms of treatment, therapies and even facts and figures.
We dispense free Condoms, Femidoms and Information on prevention and secondary infection to all people, from our site in Rochester. And also some outreach work.
Our Volunteers and staff can also help with advice on Benefits, Advocacy, Information on Prevention and Testing, Money advice and Social Care
and support. We operate in complete Confidentiality and Equality
and are very pleased that we are Independent from all Health Authorities and
Social Service Departments. We are equally pleased that relation between these departments have
now been strengthened, and we are now working together
for the future. It may now be appropriate here to re-iterate our apology to West Kent Health Authority for the very strained relation ship between our two organisations towards the end of 1997.
We are pleased to say that matters are resolved, and we are now working happily together.
BodyPositive KENT Ltd. rely's solely on donations, we are always gratefully for anything that anyone can spare. If you would like to help, please e-mail us at the address below, below.
If you would like to become a Member or a Volunteer or you are in need of services, please e-mail us.
Homepage
