BGF’s Community Support helps people living with HIV who require assistance to maintain and improve independent living skills. Community Support clients already have secure and affordable accommodation but need additional support in order to remain living independently in the community. “I was first introduced to the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation through a social worker. I was HIV Positive and was looking after a young guy who also had HIV. He had social workers coming out to see him and one day, one of them asked me what I did to get away from the 24x7 caring. I realised that there wasn’t anything separating me from looking after him. COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Our Community Support Workers assist clients with daily living tasks such as shopping, helping with meal preparation and accompanying them to appointments. They are also on hand to offer the emotional support required to help clients remain active members of their local community
BGF’s Community Support can be provided on a fee-for-service basis and used by other government and support agencies.
To find out more about BGF’s Community Support, please contact How Community Support makes a difference
“They decided it would be good for me to get into the Community Support program with the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation. I was a bit sceptical. I thought, ‘I’m 44 years old, what do I need someone to hold my hand for?’ But I went a couple of times and I found it exhilarating.
“Community Support has made me more comfortable with going out … I’m not as paranoid anymore. It gave me a real break by getting me out of the house and away from the constant strain of caring for myself and someone else. I hadn’t realised how far I’d stepped back from reality.
“With the help of the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation, we’re now living in a really nice house. The person I care for is off methadone and I’ve given up smoking – it’s been 12 months since I had a cigarette.
“I think the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation gives people living with HIV/AIDS someone to speak with. Living out in the Western Suburbs, finding HIV services is like looking for a needle in a haystack. So it’s a good thing the foundation makes itself available for people way out here. I appreciate the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation for what it is and what it represents. Without its support, people would find it that little bit harder.”
A former BGF Community Support client