Company number - SC204831 Scottish Charity Number - SC 022882
First Floor, 31 Hawkhill, Dundee, DD1 5DH. Tel: 01382
226860. E-mail: admin@bodypositivetayside.org
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Body Positive Tayside is an organisation that started in 1992 by positive people as a support group for people who had an HIV diagnosis. Since that time the project has grown and is now based in central premises in Dundee covering the whole of Tayside which includes the Perth and Angus area.
The project has developed a wide range of services, which aims to meet the needs of all its members. It has a drop-in centre which people can meet to relax, for mutual support, for information and to access the many different services on offer. These include an information resource, a newsletter, support groups, nutritional groups, complementary therapies and respite facilities.
The Buddy Befriending Service was developed to provide one to one support to people who are HIV positive or Directly Personally Affected. The idea behind the befriending service is that it compliments other support networks that may be around such as family, friends and other agencies.
Through recent consultation with service users it has become clear people may just want short term support that can be organised quickly and provided by staff or volunteers. We have hopefully responded to the suggestions and comments that people have shared and with a few changes here and there, developed a service that people will use when they feel the need.
Either staff or volunteers can provide flexible and responsive One to one support.
To access this service you just need to phone the project and ask to speak with a member of staff.
The type and length of support depends entirely on the person requesting the support. 'One offs', occasional and regular support can all be provided. Some examples include:
Going to a one-off appointment
Meeting for a coffee and a chat
Enjoying a leisure activity or hobby
Finding out information on a particular subject
Practical help with a task
These are only a few examples. While it may not sound very different from the original Buddy Service, the difference would be that you do not have to be 'matched up' with one volunteer, unless, of course, you prefer that. Another difference is that staff team members can also provide this One to one support. This may be easier for people to access the service if they know some of the personalities that may provide it.
All you have to do is give the project a phone. If you prefer you can get someone to make the initial call on your behalf. This initial call will establish what kind of support you are looking for and we will organise ourselves accordingly.
We can travel to meet you and therefore you don't have to come into the project to access this service. This makes it flexible and responsive. The project is open on a 9am-5pm basis. This service is available outwith these hours.
The One to One support service is confidential and this means that you can speak to volunteer/staff member knowing that it will go no further. It is up to you if you want to tell your family and friends that you have accessed this service. You don't have to and the volunteer/staff member will ensure that your confidentiality is kept at all times. Your family and friends may not know that you are hiv or hcv positive or directly personally affected and we are aware of the importance of maintaining confidentiality and being discreet.
If you don't want your family and friends to know about you accessing this service, it is better to discuss this with the volunteer/staff member. This helps you both to prepare for any potentially awkward situations and give you time to decide how you will respond to any questions. For example, if you meet a member of your family while you and the volunteer/staff member are out together then you may just introduce them as a friend. In most situations this usually satisfies people's curiosity!
It is always up to you to decide if you want to tell other people in your life about any service you access. The volunteer/staff member will not disclose anything about your relationship without your consent.
As with any of our services, we aim to ensure that it meets the needs of the people who use it. In long term one to one support, the Development Co-ordinator will meet regularly with both parties to ensure that both of you are happy with the service. This is important as it gives you the chance to feedback any opinions or ideas and gives us the chance to make any appropriate changes. The meeting will be arranged at a time and place that suits you. It is important that you meet with the Development Co-ordinator as it ensures that you are receiving a quality service from the project.
If there is something that you are not happy with in between theses meetings then you can contact the Development Co-ordinator at any time.
As with any volunteering, there are some limits to the areas that a volunteer can be involved:-
Volunteers/staff members cannot be responsible for the care of children. You may want your children to meet with the volunteer /staff member, which is fine, but they cannot be solely responsible for your children.
Volunteers/staff members cannot be party to any illegal activities.
For any other information please contact Body Positive Tayside on Telephone Number: 01382 461555
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