Body & Soul

Phone
020 7923 6880
Fax
020 7278 3370
Main Address
99-119 Rosebury Avenue, EC1
Main Address
99-119 Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R 4RE
Country
United Kingdom [ View Country Profile ]
Description
A charity supporting children, teenagers and families living with or closely affected by HIV. Body & Soul provides a safe, confidential and supportive environment, in which a wide range of peer and professional support helps people to reduce isolation and stress, improve health and well-being, resume active lives, combat stigma and prejudice, and create a voice for human rights. Body & Soul seeks to empower people, assisting them in fighting social exclusion, developing life skills and self-esteem, and working as a united group to challenge the stigma and myths about HIV. Children and teenagers can access services as Primary Service Users, independent of adults. Body & Soul is also involved in campaigning, lobbying and raising awareness about HIV, promoting service user involvement. There are also many opportunities for members to volunteer.
Director
Emma Colyer
Head of People
Jed Marsh
Head of Programmes & Policy
Nimisha Tanna
Adult Programme Manager
Genevieve Hutchinson
Children’s Programme Manager
Jane King
Teen Spirit Programme Manager
Sophie Gaston
BaSe (10-12 yrs) Keyworker
Marisha Grant
Young Adult Keyworker
Alyza Jehangir
Peer support groups and information workshops
For children, teenagers and adults.
One-to-one counselling
With mental health professionals.
Information and advocacy
On a range of issues: health and treatment, welfare, legal, human rights, housing and immigration.
Skills development courses
On a wide variety of subjects including: HIV treatment, nutrition, creative writing, CV building/Interview techniques.
Complementary therapies
Including yoga, shiatsu, holistic massage, Thai massage, Indian head massage, physiotherapy and reflexology.
Regular Citizen’s Advice Bureau
On an appointment basis.
Monthly legal clinic
On an appointment basis.
Regular phone support
For those not accessing the centre.
Transport service
For those with very young children or mobility problems.
Children's Services
Group sessions for children aged under 3, aged 3-5 and aged 6-9 providing fun, age-appropriate, educational and personal development activities. Focus on emotional, social and physical development and wellbeing. The BaSe (BODY & SOUL Experience) group sessions target the educational / social / physical needs of pre teens aged 10-12. Activities cover many different themes such as emotional expression, self-esteem, friendship, anti-bullying, coping with stress and health. The BaSe Aware group is a group for 10-12 year olds who are HIV+ or affected and know how HIV affects their lives. Sessions provide children with an opportunity to learn about HIV, ask questions and allow them to build up networks with other children. One-to-one/small group tutoring and educational support.
Teenspirit
Teenspirit is the UK's leading support group for teenagers aged 13-19 who know how HIV affects their lives. Sessions include facilitated workshops on HIV and related issues such as sexual health, HIV treatment, stigma and discrimination, relationships, campaigning and communication skills. Weekly 'Study Group' with one-to-one support from a qualified teacher. One-to-one counselling with qualified mental health professionals. Regular phone support for those not accessing the centre. Advocacy for teenagers including letters of support, hardship applications, help with housing and educational needs. Complementary therapies for teenagers including massage, shiatsu, reflexology, Thai massage, Indian head massage and holistic physiotherapy. Courses aimed at the development of specific skills such as creative writing, interview techniques and CV writing. A wide range of volunteering opportunities are available for teens such as roles as peer mentors, workshop facilitators, press and outreach volunteers and office volunteers.
Adult Services
Information workshops for women and heterosexual men focusing on treatment and HIV-related issues, parenting, relationships, managing stress, combating discrimination. Peer-led discussion groups on topical issues such as criminalisation, sex education in schools and HIV home testing. One-to-one counselling with qualified mental health professionals. Advocacy for adults including letters of support, hardship applications and casework on housing and welfare issues. Fortnightly Citizen's Advice Bureau and Refugee Council surgeries on appointment basis for advice and casework. Regular phone support for those not accessing the centre. Complementary therapies including massage, reflexology and yoga. Skills development courses such as training to become peer treatment advocates and self development and empowerment. A wide range of volunteering opportunities are available for adults such as roles as peer mentors, workshop facilitators, press and outreach volunteers and office volunteers. A specific group for young adults 20-25 years old every other week.
Languages
French, Amharic, Spanish and various other African languages. No translator but members can be linked with other members who speak the same language
Disabled Access
Registered Charity
Number 1060062
Languages spoken
Amharic
 French
 Spanish
 English