About Wakefield
BHA Wakefield in partnership with Spectrum Community Health CIC, supports all people living with HIV in Wakefield. We work with vulnerable communities to prevent HIV and promote good sexual health. We offer a free HIV testing service, free condom postal service, HIV peer support, groups, specialist person centred counselling and advocacy. In addition to our community engagement, capacity and skills building within community groups, BHA delivers bespoke training for professionals and organisations on a number of health and social care issues including health inequalities, sexual health and HIV. This training can be tailored according to need and delivered in a range of different formats.
*VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – Become a BHA Wakefield Volunteer*
Apply using the link: Be Collective – Volunteer management platform
Training
We have a range of different training sessions available that can be delivered in person or online. We can cater our training to suit your needs and have a range of training packages. We deliver to schools, college, universities and also public, private and third sector organisations.We can train your staff, students or service users in general HIV knowledge, prevention and testing and more.
We use real case studies, positive speakers and teacher trained professionals to deliver these sessions.
If you would like to book us for a HIV training session please contact us.
Email: wakefield@thebha.in-beta6.co.uk
Call: 07707 872203
Email us ›General health
Concerned about MPox?
Please visit Spectrum’s website for up to date information about M Pox and the vaccine by clicking the link.
Visit here ›Free Milk Formula
Our team at BHA Wakefield, can provide free formula milk for new mums living with HIV in Wakefield for up to 12 months. This initiative eliminates the small risk of HIV transmission through breastfeeding and provides much-needed reassurance to families.
Please email us at Wakefield@thebha.in-beta6.co.uk if you have any questions about the formula milk or processes.
More Info ›Free postal condoms
Our condoms come in discreet packaging and are free to anyone in a Wakefield postcode. You have the option to order regular, large or latex free condoms.
Order here ›Rapid HIV and syphilis testing
We offer free, confidential rapid HIV & Syphilis testing at our private office space in Wakefield Centre and also at a number of community venues. Check out our social media to see if we’re testing at a community venue near you!
If you would like to book a test follow the link below to book a slot. If non of the slots work contact one of our team and we’ll help find the best option for you.
If you are a community venue that would like to have us visit to test or talk about sexual health & HIV please contact Jess on 07707 872203 or email jess@thebha.in-beta6.co.uk
Book here ›Peer support
Our peer mentors are individuals who are living with HIV and who want to offer their time and experience and provide support to others. Our mentors are fully trained and receive ongoing support from BHA and and work to the National Standards for HIV Peer Support.
Many people living with HIV, whether newly diagnosed or those longer term diagnosed, benefit from talking to others about their diagnosis and peer mentors are available to meet with you at a time and location that is convenient to you such as the clinic, our offices in Leeds or Wakefield or a coffee shop.
If you are living with HIV in Leeds or Wakefield and wish to meet up with a peer mentor, please get in touch via the links below.
Email: leedsskyline@thebha.in-beta6.co.uk or wakefield@thebha.in-beta6.co.uk
Call: 0113 244 9767
Or speak to a member of staff at your HIV clinic
Email us ›Groups
We deliver free and confidential support and activity groups where you can meet others, learn, share and develop skills.
Our Positive Together group meets once a month. Come and enjoy a hot drink, cake and a chat at the Art House Cafe.
We also do group activities such as visitng the community gardens or taking in a concert. If you want to come to the group or have suggestions for activities please get in touch.
Contact on 07471 836101 or email lasha@thebha.in-beta6.co.uk for details.
Mental Health Support
We have a specialist counsellor Esther who works with our clients on a Monday afternoon in Wakefield.
Esther provides talking therapy, this is a counselling intervention which can support people living with HIV with mild to moderate mental health conditions. It is a person-centred counselling service that helps people cope with the here and now by offering them an empathetic, safe and non-judgemental space with a trained person-centred counsellor. Somewhere they can explore their thoughts, feelings and emotions around presenting issues they wish to bring into each sessions.
People living with HIV who may benefit from person-centred talking therapy may suffering from one or more of the following common low to moderate mental health conditions:-
- Shame
- Depression
- Stress
- Health anxiety
- Relationship issues (damaging behaviours such as sabotaging relationships)
- Low self-esteem
- Feeling stuck or lost in life
- Difficulty accepting HIV diagnosis
- Trauma due to diagnosis but also due to challenging life experiences such as displacement linked to asylum and immigration issues
- Effects of ageing, disability or illness on sexuality
- Sexuality adjustment
- Sleep issues
Esther can also provide support to people who are not living with HIV who meet these specific criteria
- They are of high risk of HIV infection
- On PrEP or PEP
- Suffering from at least one common low to moderate mental health conditions
- NOT currently engaging in any other form of counselling
If you would like to be referred for counselling please contact wakefield@thebha.in-beta6.co.uk call Jess on 07707 872203 or Lasha on 07471 836101 for a referral or fill in the secure referral form at the top of the page.
Referral for support for people living with HIV
At BHA Wakefield, we offer 1 to 1 services for everyone living with or affected by HIV in Wakefield. You can talk to one of our support team on any issue that may concern you and they will advise, signpost, refer or advocate on your behalf.
You may wish to discuss issues, concerns or experiences about:
- Emotional well-being
- Managing relationships, sex or disclosure
- Sexuality or gender identity
- Understanding of HIV and treatments
- Living well
- Housing, benefits, welfare rights
- Debt or financial hardship
- Pregnancy, birth and children
- Employment or training
- Mental health
- Other health issues
Our team are able to provide you with support either in person, over the phone or video call if you prefer. We also offer a number of evening appointments. All appointments must be booked in advance.
Dealing with HIV from day to day can be difficult in its self but when you have other worries in your life it can be exhausting.
Our team of support workers can work with you to find out what your concerns are and make plans to address each issue. This is called your support plan. We will work at your pace to make changes to each issue that you find difficult. We will do this by providing the best information available with issues such as starting HIV medications, adherence (taking your medications on time) housing, benefits, pregnancy, addiction etc. We work in partnership with other agencies to resolve your difficulties and gain advice and information for your benefit. This is called advocacy.
Want to talk or book an appointment?
Call Jess on 07707 872203 or Lasha on 07471 836101 email: wakefield@thebha.in-beta6.co.uk
