The aim of Begin is to deliver services that are centred on the needs of the individual. the type of support and how much and how often you access it is up to you.

At our first meeting we will discuss what living with HIV means to you and any other issues affecting your life. We use an assessment form so there is less chance that things are missed. Together we can then plan and prioritise how Begin can support you.

Begin provides services to people affected by HIV including extended families and friends.

Please click here to view a guide to all of the services available from us in Wakefield.

Confidentiality

We will ask you to sign a consent form in order that we can obtain proof of your HIV status. Your personal information will be stored secrurely and we will not disclose your HIV status or your use of Begin services to anyone without your consent. Our confidentiality policy will be fully explained to you.

In exceptional circumstances, the project may have a legal requirement to disclose information if asked to do so by the police. If you would like certain types of information to remain unrecorded, please ask your support worker

Grants

The Begin Welfare Fund and grant applications system plays an important part in offering some relief if you are living on a very low income. However, all we can ever hope to do is to offer limited, short-term financial support. Apart from our own welfare fund we also access grants from charities such as The Children with AIDS Charity, The Hardship Fund, Vicars Relief and the Frank Buttle Trust.

Welfare Information

Begin provides support around welfare and benefits including: telling you about other relevant agencies; obtaining letters of support for health related welfare issues; and challenging decisions that have been made in relation to welfare support. [top]

Advocacy

Your support worker will contact organisations for you or with you to make enquiries, access services, make complaints and/or seek information and advice. This may be done by telephone, email, by letter or in person at a joint meeting/visit.

At Begin you will have access to a telephone, printing and photocopying, computers and the internet.

One to One Support

We will try and work out how best you can access support. One to one support is based around your needs and can be very informal giving you the opportunity to discuss anything you like. You can request a home visit and you can also access support by telephone.

The Begin Counselling Service

We can offer free short term individual counselling for you, your partner or as a couple. Counsellors are trained to listen and help you clarify what is going on for you and what steps you personally need to take to improve your situation.

• All Begin counsellors are experienced, qualified counselling professionals.
• All Begin counsellors have a good understanding of specific issues relating to living with HIV.

Health Support Services

If you wish to access other health support services such as a swimming etc. you can apply for a contribution to provide this service. 

The budget from which additional health support services are paid is a restricted budget and may change at any time, as may the conditions for granting them. This support is only available to people on low incomes.

Free Exercise Class

In partnership with Yorkshire MESMAC, Begin runs a free exercise class. All levels and abilities are catered for in a social and non competitive environment. Contact Mark for further details on 07955 005 113 [top]

Group Support

Begin recognises the importance of group support. We have a weekly drop in:

Tuesday 1pm - 4pm

We also organise visits to other groups and organisations in the region providing services to people living with HIV. 

Flexible Service

Begin service users are not limited to accessing the Tuesday drop in, but are also welcome to make appointments with staff during working hours from Monday to Friday. 

If English is not your first language we may be able to provide an interpreter. Please contact us to find out which languages we can offer translation for. [top]