Features / Bristol Charity Advent Calendar 2020
Bristol Charity Advent Calendar 2020, day 3: Brigstowe
With a vision for a world in which people living with HIV live long and healthy lives, Brigstowe is helping people in Bristol live positive lives free from poverty, stigma, prejudice and discrimination.
HIV stands for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. It is a virus which attacks the body’s immune system.
People who live with HIV have the HIV virus in their body, but can’t pass it on when on treatment, often called PEP or PrEP. However, without medication people with HIV can develop AIDS.
is needed now More than ever
“Living with HIV can already make people feel anxious and isolated and during the coronavirus pandemic those feelings for many of our clients have not only remained but have been exacerbated,” says Aled Osborne, fundraising and communications manager at the charity, which has been supporting people with HIV in Bristol for nearly 25 years.
“From calling all of our clients we had previously worked with in the last 18 months, setting up a telephone befriending service, making emergency hardship payment grants to providing laptops and data packages to clients all whilst maintaining our usual services.”
Aled Osborne works for Brigstowe, a charity based in Easton. Photo: Brigstowe
As well as supporting those in Bristol living with HIV, Brigstowe has run a a month-long campaign, promoting that “undetectable=untransmittable”, launching a fundraiser to keep the charity functioning and held a week of digital events for World AIDS Day.
The charity, based in Easton, offers services such as confidential advice, support for migrants and asylum seekers living with HIV, workshops and peer support groups.
Brigstowe also leads HIV Awareness Training for professionals, including front-line support staff, managers and HR personnel.
Brigstowe supports people living with HIV in Bristol. Photo: Brigstowe
“Staff and volunteers alike worked tirelessly and passionately during the pandemic to ensure no one is left behind and people living with HIV in Bristol continue to receive much needed support,” says Aled.
“There is no reason to fear anymore, there is only certainty, hope and love. Everyone deserves to live without fear of prejudice, stigma and discrimination, people living with HIV are no different.”
Main photo: Brigstowe
Read more: Eradicating the stigma that people living with HIV face
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