Many people are currently benefiting from living on the cutting edge of medical technology by way of combination therapies and effective prophylactic treatments . However, these very same people are now facing another 'cutting edge' in the form of Health Authority funding.
 

Even though the actual cost of combination therapies has QUADRUPLED in the last twelve months, The Health Authority admit that only a "slight increase" in the Treatment and Care Budget has been made for the coming year, and it is "not compatible to the rising costs of Combination Therapy"Although reassurances have been made that ALL HIV patients in North Staffordshire WILL receive full combination drug therapies, Positive Lives expresses concern that at some point they will not be able to get a 'quart out of a pint pot' and it will be the people on the cutting edge who will most likely feel the sharpness of the blade.

Patient care in Staffordshire is currently amongst the best in the country and we, that is those people living with the virus, must ensure that sufficient pressure is applied in the right places to maintain this situation. Watch this space!

Services

Tuesdays 2.00 - 4.30 Drop-In (Therapy Sessions to be booked via therapists)

Internet and Computer Access by arrangement (Tuition available Tuesday evenings by arrangement with Bob.)

Volunteers

Alternate Thursday Evenings Training Group meets at Hanley Drop-In Centre

Tues 24th March. Next Exec Meeting at Lichfield
Wed 22nd April Exec Meeting at Hanley

Bereavement Support Group
Jenny Read is running a bereavement support group once again. It will run for 6 weeks from the 4th March meeting on Tuesday evenings at the centre in Hanley from 7.30pm to 9.00pm. It will be a closed group with the purpose of exploring bereavement and how it has affected your life. If you would like further information or would like to enrol please contact Jenny Read on 01782 744444.

International Women’s Day
North Staffordshire Sunday 8th March Promoting Health Services For Women

Seminar Women into the Millennium

Where are we going? New Vic There, Newcastle Friday 6th March 1-3pm free lunch. Details call Suzanne/Sarah ,Health Promotion on 01782 744444

International Women’s Day Fair Sunday 8th March, Staffordshire University Leek Rd Campus, Shelton, Stoke on Trent 12-5pm FREE. Organised by WAVES women’s organisation. Information, activities and entertainment for women and their families - everyone welcome!

HIV & AIDS Lecture at North Staffs Medical Institute 19.03.98 at 8.pm Ed Wilkins replaces Mike Youle

TREATMENT ISSUES

3TC, AZT, d4T .... whatever treatment you are taking, you will find information about your drugs and how to take them on the fact sheets stored in resources room.

In the resources room at the centre you can find copies of the Crusaid & Star Information Exchange Facts sheets which are issued to patients at the Kobler Centre in London . There is a separate sheet for each drug as well as information on side effects such as Neuropathy and diet sheets appropriate to certain drugs. More sheets have been added this month from the ATIS Web Site.

You can obtain photo copies on request. The copies in the resource room are for reference only.

These facts sheets give the fullest information including details on how to take the drug, possible side effects and best methods of storage and where appropriate a diet sheet as well.

You can find the reference copies in the bottom drawer of the filing cabinet under “FACT SHEETS”

World AIDS
 Day -Week ?!?!

I know this sounds strange but here in Staffordshire there were events covering an entire week to celebrate and commemorate World AIDS Day. Nowhere else in the country were there enough enthusiastic, inspired, determined and committed volunteers to put on eight days of events. (It should be noted that nearly all of these events took place in North Staffordshire.) If you were involved you should give yourself a pat on the back. If you weren’t, make sure you do not miss out on the excitement this year (see below for ways to get involved now).

 If you were out of the county or simply walked around with your eyes and hears shut for the week, here’s a reminder of what went on.

Red Ribbon Launch in Hanley Town Centre by the Lord Mayor and local Councillors.

The launch party at the Piccadilly Centre wishing everyone involved the best of luck.
Staffordshire HIV/AIDS Group Charity Fashion Show at Staffs Uni.
Condomania Safer Sex frolics at Keele University.
Musicaid Classical concert held at St. Paul’s Church, Newcastle.
The Rave Against AIDS tour of pubs and clubs around Hanley and Newcastle.
Performers Procession around local towns and Lantern Procession through Hanley town centre.
Civic reception at the City Museum with the Lord Mayor Information display, raffle, lantern auction, free entertainment, food and drink.
Remembrance service at Holy Trinity Church.
The Red Ribbon Riot held at the Club.
Seminar by Dr Sunanda Ray on Women and HIV at the New Vic.

Ecumenical service at Keele University Chapel.
Staffordshire Buddies Lantern Vigil in Hanley Centre followed by the Student Candlelit Vigil at Staffordshire University (Stoke site).
‘Alive and Kicking’ and ‘Philadelphia’ shown at the Staffordshire Film Theatre.
An Evening of Words and Music held in Stafford.
Crown and Anchor Charity Night, Stafford.

 Plus all those ‘behind the scene’ preparations, activities and events. It makes me proud but tired just reading it all.
I would like to personally thank all those who got involved. You were very patient with my never-ending requests for help. You took part with a smile on your face, even when you were soaked through on the street collection.

The money and awareness that was raised was exceptional and this could not have done without you. Below is a breakdown of what was raised for Staffordshire Buddies.

All the figures opposite show the funds raised for Staffordshire Buddies. As well as these, The Red Ribbon Riot raised £2,056 and MUSICAID £600 for Ward 70 of The City General Hospital, Newcastle, Staffs.

Presently the World AIDS Day Steering Committee is meeting to assess the pros and cons of last years events and beginning to plan for this years activities. If you would like to get involved as a Committee member or as a volunteer please contact me (Maz) at Staffordshire Buddies Hanley Centre 01782-201251.

There were many events and activities that went on out of the limelight. I would like to say a special thank-you to those who marked the day in whatever way was appropriate to you. Even though you received no formal recognition for this, your involvement is valued.

 As you have seen from the previous articles, last year’s World AIDS Day was an outstanding success, with even bigger plans for this years. However, I am unfortunately leaving you in June to go back to Uni (yuk!). Therefore, Staffordshire Buddies needs you to pull together to form a Fundraising and Events Task Group. If you are interested in discussing this idea, please leave your name, telephone number and the evenings you’re free with either Sarah or myself at the Hanley Centre. We can then arrange a meeting. Don’t be frightened off by this all sounding terribly official. I only want to find out what you want to do in terms of fundraising. - Maz

This Issue’s Profile
 Bob Lishman

...

... back in the olden days (1980’s), everything was normal. Normal for me, which isn’t saying much really. My life was much the same as most other people’s...busy,enjoyable but cluttered up with meaningless crap.
That dreadful treadmill of going to work, coming home, cooking a meal, watching telly, going to the pub/club (if I wasn’t too knackered) going to bed and getting up the next day to do the same thing over and over again.
  Then one day, my ‘fairy godmother’ (AKA the GUM clinic) suddenly announced that all my dreams would not come true. “I’m sorry, but your test has come back positive” said the doctor, sounding more like the grim reaper than a fairy godmother.
  Of course my life fell apart at that instant and I was re-assured with the ‘regulation-issue’ cup of tea and the comforting words..”don’t worry, it’s not as bad as it seems, you’ve probably got at least another couple of years left .” Gulp! Of course, that was back in 1986, when HIV meant certain, fairly quick death. At that time I was in a permanent relationship with someone (who had tested HIV negative, and still is, thank god) and had been for about 4 years. This meant that I had already been positive for at least 4 years and had been incredibly lucky not to have passed it on to my partner. It also meant that decisions had to be made about our non-existent future, and most of those had to be made by my partner, after all, my choices were limited to say the least.
Thankfully for me, my partner refused to let me become self-destructive in my “new life.”
Of course I spent months in a permanent daze, crying every five minutes, and at the times I would least expect. I would suddenly burst into tears when I was really enjoying myself. When, for just a few minutes, that cloud of death was not hanging over my shoulders, and I was really engrossed in something ... ZAP!, I would suddenly realise that this could be the last time I might be doing whatever it was.

 I don’t really remember much about the first twelve months, except that my morning shower, which prior to my diagnosis had taken about 5-7 minutes, suddenly became a 20 minute affair, with every portion of viewable skin being scrutinised for something not there the day before. I didn’t even know what I was looking for. After about a year, it became obvious that I wasn’t going to die quickly, and after two years, without any illnesses at all (my partner was ill more often that I was!) I began to realise that those “couple of years” could indeed be much longer. However, one thing had changed quite dramatically. I had never been one to suffer fools gladly, but now, with “limited” time available, I was able to see that day-to-day crap for what it was. Putting up with people you don’t really have to, became a thing of the past. Doing things that don’t really need doing (like hoovering and dusting every day), worrying about what to wear, and what to say so as not to upset anyone, stopped.
  There was a total shift of what I wanted to spend my money on. No more pensions, new three-piece suites every year, new clothes every week. I realised that what money can buy is time. My time. So anything that I hated doing, like housework, was “contracted out”. My cleaner was worth every penny. She meant that I had about 8 hours a week (which is a whole day!) to do the things that I had never had the time to do.Going out for meals, holidays, staying with friends, time-based things, as opposed to price-based. Fortunately my partner could see the method in my madness and went along with many of my ‘wild pursuits”.
  Having HIV made me much more of a risk taker, especially in business. I know that there have been things that I probably wouldn’t have done or said if I had believed that I was going to be around for several more decades. As it happened I almost managed to complete one decade before I was ill due to HIV. In 1995, after the traumatic death of my father I became ill with PCP. This was another major turning point and started another whole “new” life. My diagnosis of PCP also meant that I had an AIDS diagnosis, and as such I was advised that it would be unlikely that I would survive more than another six, possibly nine months.
  This time, the death sentence was months rather than years, so even more ‘crap’ had to be offloaded from my daily routine. For various reasons, not least the help I received from Body Positive North West and Social Services to name but two, I was eventually convinced that I would be able to, and indeed HAD to stop work. Yes, I was ill, very ill, and although I had never previously thought that I would be mentally able to handle not working full time, I had to accept that my condition meant I had no choice. What did surprise me though, was that for all those years, both as an employer and an employee, I had believed that without my work I would become frustrated and bored to death.. literally! How wrong I was! I’m not sure who’s law it is that says “the work grows to fill the time available” but he was dead right.
  I contacted Staffordshire Buddies, after a few months, to say that I would like to get involved in raising the awareness of HIV either by speaking to either students, doctors, nurses and the like.After Michael Carey joined Staffs Buddies things finally got off the ground. Now, health permitting, I ‘let off steam’ by answering (mostly) health and social care professionals questions at training courses supplied by Staffordshire Buddies. It gives them a chance to hear from a ‘real-live’ person living with AIDS’, what the actual problems are of living with this disease, as opposed to the problems they think we have. Often the two are very different.
  This “new” life (this is the third one, if you’ve lost count!) has actually been the most rewarding emotionally. OK, so my standard of living if far below what it used to be, but my quality of life is the best yet. My involvement with Staffordshire Buddies feeds my personal need to be appreciated by others and I have met some very different people that, had I not got involved, would never have become part of my life.
  I am an extremely lucky person, surrounded by some very special people, not least my current partner.
  About a year ago, my new (now)fairy godfather, said to me that, whilst all my dreams will still not come true, I was likely to get the chance to fulfil more of them, thanks to the new complementary therapies. I am currently responding well to the new drugs which have enabled me to be much more physically active, and now I am looking forward to going to that grand “ball” called the millennium. Lets all hope that my destiny will not be thwarted by the evil ugly sisters (AKA central and local health care budget-cutters) although as you can see from our front page article, I’m sure I can hear someone shouting... ...They’re behind you!!

Take care - Bob

I was appointed just over 2 years ago as the Clinical Nurse Specialist (HIV/AIDS) in Mid and South Staffordshire.

I’ve been involved in HIV care for a number of years, including spending a couple of years at Westminster Hospital in London, where I worked on a busy HIV unit.

 Over the last couple of years treatment options have changed enormously and there is a never-ending influx of information on my desk. Therefore my current role is to provide support for anyone who is positive or has been affected in some way by HIV. If you would like to talk over your current treatments or planned treatments, particularly “combination therapy” or you are concerned with general healthcare issues, diet and nutrition, managing symptoms or even how to access local health services safely and confidentially, I may be able to help. I can arrange to visit you at home or elsewhere, if it’s more appropriate.

I am based at Trentside Clinic in Stone, Staffordshire, where I can be contacted; although I also have a mobile number where you can leave an answerphone message which I access regularly and I will contact you as soon as possible.

If you live in the area and would like a chat, don’t hesitate to call.

 Georgina Paget

Clinical Nurse Specialist

Trentside Clinic: (01785) 811471 (ext. 146) Mobile No: 0402 839408

"..in the light of funding cuts it was felt that Health Authorities would have to become more accountable..."

Bob and Maurice attended the annual general meeting of the Network (the National network of HIV & self help groups) which was followed by a conference on “Managing Change”.The weekend was very well attended, held at the Chamberlain Hotel in Birmingham, accommodation and meals paid for by the Network.

 A bulletin from Katie (development officer for the Network) covering the essential details of the meeting is pinned to the Noticeboard in the centre but if you are not a centre user and would like a copy of this or indeed any other documents mentioned in the newsletter you can request photo copies by contacting the office.

 Like most AGMs the business was fairly predictable apart from an outburst of indignation at the prominence of Gay related issues and activities on Web Sites within the Network. Some calmer voices pointed out that the overwhelming majority of HIV+ people in this country were gay men and that the gay community had been responsible for initiating and continuing much of the work to help everyone living with the virus.

 One of the first people to do anything about helping the desperate plight of those living and dying in the early 1980’s was the gay man whose partner Terence Higgins had died from AIDS. He had been treated abominably by the statutory and voluntary authorities and not until 6 years later did the government take any action with regard to what, by then, was seen to be a crisis situation.

One item on the AGM had particular relevance to us: New Membership Criteria. Until this motion was passed (unanimously) only groups who were entirely self help ie managed their own finances and administration could be full members of the Network. The passing of this resolution opens up full membership to groups (like BP Staffordshire) with a self help ethos and which has the voting power to direct itself but its finances and administration are managed by an AIDS Service Organisation (in our case Staffordshire Buddies.)

Managing Change

 The rest of the week end was devoted to workshops on the theme of Managing Change. led by Michael Bell and Steph Sexton. After identifying some of the wider issues affecting self help groups such as Criminalisation of transmission,

Changes to the NHS and many other hot topics, the conference was then divided into groups which were allocated a number of these themes to discuss looking at their political, social, technological and economic implications. The groups were encouraged to consider these problems in relation to their strengths, weaknesses. opportunities and threats as they related to self groups of people living with HIV & AIDS. Some of the results of these deliberations were surprising for example the threat of Criminalisation of transmission could become an opportunity for focussing public attention on HIV & AIDS and so what at first seemed a weakness could be come a strength.

 Another interesting revelation was the fact that some Health Authorities were guilty of “LABELLING” , a polite word for diverting funds from the HIV budget for other purposes. In the light of funding cuts it was felt that Health Authorities would have to become more accountable and to explain more precisely just how the HIV budget has been spent.

 After lunch was a session which included a report back to the rest of the conference and a new task: to identify our bottom line. (No crude jokes please!) We were asked to consider what we would not compromise under any circumstances if asked to look at partnerships, collaborative working, mergers or take overs. This work was done in pairs and ended before the evening meal.

 Unfortunately this was the end of the conference for Bob & Maurice due to Sunday commitments . They understand that at least three groups identified control over the direction of their group as being their bottom line.

 Over and above the organised activities of the weekend they found the chance to talk to other HIV+ people who came from a different background most rewarding. They encountered the angry bitterness of a haemophiliac. They laughed with a heterosexual at his account of an ignorant local leader of a voluntary organisation who asked him if he had the same difficulty she had experienced in getting his volunteers to be vaccinated against HIV. They discovered that the main aim of one group’s fund raising was to enable the group to have respite weekends together in country homes, retreat houses or at the sea side. They found out that another group met in an upstairs room of a gay pub let out to them free of charge where the local authority paid for Aromatherapy massage sessions and the drop-in centred around this.

Lots of very different people were there and sometimes the only thing they had in common was the virus. The delegates were a very interesting and dedicated bunch intent upon living as full a life as possible whilst finding time to help others to do the same. Bob & Maurice both said it felt good to be there.

A well known local person said that the last issue of the newsletter was the best yet . It had now got its own character.

Several people have said they liked the new format although the pictures could be clearer - a problem we hope we have solved in this issue.

 “I’m glad to see that obnoxious little bear has been dropped” said a London reader. “He was nothing but a supercilious little know all!” Sue Lander said that she couldn’t agree more. Another London reader suggested we might have personal tips about handling drugs, diet regimes and side effects stress etc. (See below for our prompt response)

 Another contribution was advice with regard to the eating: food and drinks at room temperature are more easily absorbed by the body than extremely cold items.

 Another of his tip: wear comfortable loose fitting clothes - jogging pants - trainers etc. especially if you are experiencing ‘side effects’. It is a lot easier and cheaper to wash a pair of joggers than it is to have trousers dry cleaned!

Now you can see that we do listen to you (and take note of what you say) .... Let us have your comments for the next issue!!

 We need your...and email

Nausea

There are drugs available if you feel you need them.Ask your GP or physician for them. If you want to manage without drugs or complement them with herbal remedies the following have been tried and found useful by people who regular use the drop-in centre:

Glass of Tonic water neat or with a few drops of Angostura bitters

Peppermint Tea

Glass of Dry Ginger

Any form of Ginger (Crystallised - root - stem)

Regular munching especially fruit - bananas are not the only fruit

Getting on with some activity which takes your mind away from it.

Diarrhoea

Careful choice of diet can help but ask your Doctor for drugs to help and carry them with you always.

Neuropathy

Important to discuss with your doctor as it sometimes becomes permanent if not dealt with soon enough.

There are drugs which can help.

Reflexology has also been found to be beneficial

St Johns Wort (available from health food and herbalists) has been recommended.

Vitamin B complex together with Folic Acid (Both available on prescription)

Wear comfortable shoes.

Stay warm!!

Happy Birthday Keith!

There was an old man called Keith,
Who was happy to still have his teeth,
For at 60 years old,
He’s seen out in the cold,
With them chattering - on Hampstead Heath !!

 wing & a prayer productions (who produced the Red Ribbon Riot) are holding an “open meeting” on TUESDAY 10th March at Ruby’s Diamond Mine to ‘cast’ parts for the SUMMER SHOW SPECTACULAR to be held on Sunday 24th May

We also need people to help with costumes, scenery etc., so if you fancy being part of this summers ONLY local GAY event,come along and tell us what you can do!!

Lavender is an important relaxing herb and the oil produced from its flowers is much used in Aromatherapy massage.

Our therapist Jean says that if she could only have three oils, Lavender would be one of them. It became popular in the

Middle Ages and in 1620 was one of the medicinal herbs taken to the New World by the Pilgrim Fathers.

 Research has shown the oil to have a very low toxicity and significant antiseptic and antibacterial actions. It helps to relieve pain and alleviate nervous excitability. The flowers are known to calm the nerves and reduce muscle tension.

Because of its soothing and calming effect it is useful to help relieve sleeplessness, irritability, headaches and migraine. It can also help to alleviate depression.

 Lavender oil is an invaluable first aid remedy. It is strongly antiseptic, helping to heal burns, wounds and sores. Rubbed on to insect stings, it relieves pain and inflammation. Massaging a few drops on the temple can ease headaches, and 5 drops added to a bath at night relieves muscle tension, tones the nervous system and encourages a goodnight’s rest.

 Lavender is not an expensive oil to buy nor is it a difficult plant to grow.

 One of the traditional Chinese Medicines, Reiki is a form of subtle hands on healing using universal energies to heal the body as a whole. Reiki stimulates the body’s own energy for self healing. It is not a massage but is carried out over the persons clothing which should ideally be one layer of natural fabric such as cotton.

 I hour of Reiki is equivalent to 3 hours sleep. It is a useful means of dealing with stress. The effects of a session of Reiki are immediate like Aromatherapy massage but can focus energies for days afterwards. Like all “hands on healing” Reiki gives you time to focus in on your self; a space when you can leave the world and all your troubles outside. Nothing else is important only you.

 If you haven’t tried Reiki you should give it a go; you feel wonderful afterwards.

NB Weekly therapies are now available if you need them at the descrection of your therapist.

Maurice’s

My apologies for the ambiguity in the last paragraph of my column in the last issue of Positive Lives. My only excuse is that it was getting late and I had been at the computer for far too long. To make things clear, I was recalling a question I asked at the HIV Forum about maintenance regimes. Apart from the typographical error it seems that some folk thought I was talking about “COMPLIANCE”, a different thing altogether.

 Little research has been undertaken with regard to MAINTENANCE I suppose because, if found to be a practicable proposition, it would reduce the consumption of drugs and hit the profits of the drug companies. Nevertheless instances have come to my notice where individuals whose CD4 counts are high and whose viral loads are undetectable, have reduced or in some cases completely stopped their drug regimes without apparently suffering any ill effects.

 I am not advocating that people should stop taking their drugs, just suggesting that lower dosages (Maintenance) might be a worthwhile topic for investigation.

 Having just returned from a winter break in Spain I am of the opinion that travel agents’ brochures should carry a warning: “Holidays Can Seriously Damage Your Health” Perhaps I feel this way because it has taken me over a week to recover. Why is it that every time I set off for a quiet time do I find myself drawn into adventure. “Accommodation on arrival” this time meant a dwelling halfway up a cliff face, poised between the raging sea below and the wind swept town above. On my first day, drenched by a monsoon I struggled up the million steps (no time to worry about neuropathy here) to my hovel where I found myself invaded by birds and accosted by irate neighbours accusing me of initiating an ant invasion.

 Next came the missed last buses and trains and a hair-raising midnight drive along narrow winding coast roads in a fast car at high speed. I was accosted and pursued by male and female hustlers and on my last night dragged into a chapel of rest to join the mourners of La Sardina. I was then pushed and pulled along by the crowd to witness a macabre dance of death followed by the ritual burning of the aforementioned Sardina. It was afterall the Carnival of the sardine!

 On my last day a glorious sun turned my nightmare experiences into amusing memories. However, the nightmares returned with the descent into Manchester which was horrific. Strong cross winds turned the final descent into a white knuckle ride like Alton Towers, but the landing itself was perfect. Back on terra ferma having breathed a sigh of relief I was only to be stopped and searched by customs. Who, having found nothing in my luggage turned to me and said: “You seem to have an unusually large abdomen sir.” “You're right” I said pulling up my jumper and patting my large tummy, “but I’m afraid it’s all me!”

  After a bad week, by that I mean being depressed by the weather, feeling tootired to start the day before lunchtime, leaving a pan on a live gas jet all day, neglecting the cat, burning a duck, you know generally feeling yucky; things are gradually returning to normal. I have done two midnight sessions on the newsletter, done my service user representative bit at the drop-in on Tuesday, done a report for the exec meeting on Wednesday which went very well, observed that all the things Bob and I were pushing for on behalf of service users have been noted, started to plan an additional MUSICAID Concert in the south of the county for next November, done some Spanish homework, and of course choir and playing the organ for church services; yes I feel I am back at home and that things are returning to normal.

 Having turned attention to the home front we must not forget Ken still in hospital. I am sure we all wish that he will soon be back home and that he has a speedy recovery from his operation and hope that in the meantime Andrew is finding time to peel his grapes properly!

Hasta la proxima (until the next one)

 

This is what you need:

4oz plain wholemeal flour & pinch of salt

2oz butter or margarine

4oz raw Demerara Sugar

1oz walnuts finely chopped

3 cooking pears

1 large cooking apple

2 tablespoons redcurrant jelly

finely grated rind & juice of one lemon

This is what you do:

1.  Mix the flour and salt in a bowl then add the butter or marg and rub in until mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs, stir in half of the sugar and the walnuts. Set the mixture aside.

2. Peel and quarter the pears and apple, remove the cores then slice thinly

3.  In a separate bowl mix the red current jelly and the lemon rind and juice with the remaining sugar, add the sliced fruit and gently fold into the mix.

4.  Turn the fruit into an ovenproof dish and sprinkle the crumble mixture over the top.

Bake in the oven at 180c - 350f or gas mark 4 for 40 minutes or until the fruit feels soft when pierced with a skewer and the crumble topping is crisp and golden.

 Serve Hot

Is your workplace about to upgrade its computers??

We are currently trying to help some of our members to gain computer skills by providing training packages at the

Hanley Drop-in Centre. However, presently we only have one machine, which is heavily used for Internet Access and for producing the Newsletter.

 If you, or your organisation, are currently upgrading your computers and are discarding any “out of date” machines, we would greatly appreciate them. We are not asking for “state of the art” stuff, as many people simply want to learn basic keyboard/word processing skills, so “old” 386/486 machines would be more than adequate. Obviously we will arrange collection and acknowledge your generous donation in a future Positive Lives issue.

If you think you may have anything that we can use,

Please call and ask for Maurice or Bob on (01782) 201251

news@staffordshirebuddies.co.uk

http://www.staffordshirebuddies.co.uk

Views expressed in this newsletter are those of individual authors and not necessarily those of Body Positive Staffordshire nor Staffordshire Buddies . Copyright of the articles remains with the author and items may not be reproduced in any form or medium without their permission. Any mention of treatment or therapy does not constitute an endorsement by either of the aforementioned organisations.

The mention, contribution or likeness of any person or organisation appearing in this publication is not to be taken as any indication of the sexual, social, political orientation nor of the HIV status of such persons or organisations.

Staffordshire Buddies is a registered charity (No. 1047375) governed by a committee of trustees. This executive committee currently comprises 12 people, including the 2 service user representatives recently co-opted onto it. Charities are public bodies therefore anyone can attend committee meetings to observe the organisations business. Any service user, client, volunteer or member who wishes to sit in on meetings should contact the office for details.

We are a bi-monthly publication. Feedback on content, policy, format or whatever is encouraged and submission of articles and letters are always welcome from anyone regardless of their HIV status.