Since our merger with Crusaid in 2010 because of financial uncertainty, our interim Hardship Fund has made more than 1,120 small grants to people living with HIV who are in short-term financial need.
The Hardship Fund has distributed more than £112,000 to buy food, pay for electricity, gas and clothing or cover the fare to get to the hospital. Basic things which allow people living with HIV to look after their health and keep their dignity. If you are sick with constant night sweats, diarrhoea and vomiting – something as simple as a washing machine can be incredibly important.
There have been severe cuts to funding of public services over the past year, but the number of applicants to the Hardship Fund has more than doubled in number- and in value. It is a vital service supporting some of the most vulnerable people living with HIV in the UK.
We are incredibly pleased to announce, that as of 23 January 2012 a brand new Hardship Fund has been launched with reach and referral agents across the whole of the UK, and we’ve already supported more than 30 people living with HIV through it.
To show how you can help us to change lives by fundraising at Walk For Life, we’d like to tell you about Ethan, one of the people who has come to us for help. For reasons of confidentiality we have had to change his name, but his story is true.
Ethan's story
Ethan is a 39-year-old gay man from Scotland who had such severe depression, after his HIV diagnosis and the break-up of his relationship, that he had to stop working. He was managing to get by on his Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) which he needed to buy food and pay his bills.
But Ethan's ESA was mistakenly stopped after an error was made during a routine review of his benefits. This meant he was unable to buy enough food, and his health suffered as a result. When you have HIV, a healthy diet is an important way to keep your immune system strong so losing his benefits was devastating for Ethan.
Ethan went to see a benefits adviser at Terrence Higgins Trust who appealed against the incorrect decision to stop his ESA and made an application to the Hardship Fund at the same time. Ethan received a grant of £100, which meant he could buy food and charge his electricity meter key. He was also able to make a payment towards his gas bill, so he could keep his flat warm during the winter.
Having a Hardship Fund grant reduced the chances of Ethan’s depression getting even worse and he was able to carry on eating a healthy diet at a time when he had no other sources of income.
Ethan is just one of many people we have helped through the Hardship Fund as they’ve struggled to overcome real difficulties when facing sickness, depression and stigma.
By joining us at Walk For Life, and fundraising for the Hardship Fund, you can help more people like Ethan pay for gas, electricity and food. These are things most of us take for granted but for someone like Ethan, your fundraising can make the difference between them being cold and hungry, or being able to eat well and live healthily.
Pre-register your interest in attending the Walk at www.walkforlife.co.ukor by calling 020 781 1665 for more information and save the date: 20 May 2012.