COVID-19 Client Services

Community is more important than ever. To help stay connected, BGF has created tailored programs and services to assist and empower our clients.

If you are interested in our services, feeling anxious or confused during this uncertain time, please reach out to BGF reception on 02 9283 8666 or email us at reception@bgf.org.au

Health & Wellbeing Programs

BGF's Health & Wellbeing Programs are a fantastic opportunity to connect with other people living with HIV and to share your experiences, meet new people and cultivate a new skill to help you thrive. BGF will be introducing new online programs regularly so make sure to return and check for updates.

Positively Thriving

This will be a 6 week Health Literacy program with the support of a collection of HIV and health sector specialists. The speakers will give one hour tailored presentations about People Living with HIV and advice to promote a healthy lifestyle, immune system and how to cope with isolation. Featured experts include:

Gut health specialists
Dieticians
S100 Prescribers
Mental health counsellors

Status: commencement date to be announced

Creative Writing: Poetry and Prose from a Place of Truth

BGF's creative writing workshop runs for six weeks including an introductory class to help participants navigate the course online. Starting with the basic building blocks of storytelling, the course develops techniques to unlock your creativity, find your voice, and create your unique narrative.

The course is being facilitated by Heather Taylor-Johnson an American-Australian writer and poet living in Adelaide who has received reviews from the New York Times and the ABC for her published poetry.

Status: In progress

Zen Fitness

A 6 week functional movement workshop which aims to get you up and active in the comfort of your own home. Designed to help you maintain functional body movements in a fun no-pressure environment whilst giving you the necessary skills to continue to practice self-care. These sessions will consist of a warm-up, exercise and stretch period, ending with Yoga Nidra (sleep yoga) for a full relaxation experience. It will boost your physical and mental health to help cope with these isolating times.

The course will be run by Will Bennet, a Personal Trainer with nearly 10 years of experience and a Bachelor of Medical Science.

Please note these sessions will require you to have your camera on at all times so that the trainer can ensure the use of the right techniques and postures.

Status: next date to be announced - late 2020

BGF Book Club

The BGF Book Club, "Novel Connections", extends over five weeks, including an orientation session, regular discussions as well as a final group session to discuss the book. In addition to reading and discussing the book, the club also focuses on providing advice and exercises on how to thrive and live an authentic life that unapologetically celebrates you for who you are.

For the second edition, book club members read The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson.

Status: next date to be announced - early 2021

For more information or to register please email Ruan: ruan.uys@bgf.org.au

Community Support Program (CSP)

BGF's Community Support Workers are here to support all our clients in the community who require and use our services. Our dedicated staff is available to help BGF clients with the following duties:

Assist accessing important medical appointments
Shop for groceries
Simply be here to help with feelings of isolation

BGF is working hard to ensure that all staff have access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). We require our Community Support Workers to responsibly wear and use PPE when they are in the community or at a client's home.

Please understand that these protocols are important to protect everybody and reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19. BGF asks that you respect these measures and our staff so that we can best assist you.

Financial Counselling

BGF's Financial Counsellor is here to provide BGF clients with information, practical advice and advocacy to help you navigate your financial situation. BGF's Financial Counsellor supports BGF clients with the following duties:

Prioritise and manage debts;
Rental and home assistance. Negotiate deferrals, moratoriums and payment arrangements with creditors;
Develop budgets, money plans and helping clients to meet day-to-day living expenses;
Explain the pros and cons of different options to manage financial issues;
Understand your rights and access legal help;
Provide information about bankruptcy;
Talk you through the process of withdrawing your superannuation

If you are feeling overwhelmed by your financial situation please get in touch and BGF will organise Financial Counselling by phone, Skype or Zoom.

Casework Services

BGF Caseworkers and Case Managers are able to support BGF clients through a range of customised services.

Case Management

We offer individualised, case-by-case support to people living with HIV who have complex needs or challenges in their lives. BGF Case Managers are trained experts, with in-depth knowledge about HIV and hands-on experience navigating complex health and social systems. They plan. Facilitate. Advocate. Support.

Case Management support includes but is not limited to:

Referrals to other support services
Navigating complex systems such as My Aged Care, NDIS, Health and Centrelink
Legal and housing advocacy
Support letters
Financial and health literacy
Intensive and ongoing lifestyle and behavioural change
Engagement and relationship building
Self-management support and goal setting

Casework

Advocacy
Budgeting
Financial Assistance
Referrals to other services
Support letters
Individual Support Plan to work with specific goals BGF clients aspire to achieve

Work Development Order (WDO)

If you receive a fine and are unable to settle it, BGF is here to review if you are eligible to access financial assistance through the WDO program. The WDO program enables BGF clients to work off a fine through unpaid work, attend BGF programs, casework, participate in certain courses, case management support or medical treatment.

Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA)

EAPA is a NSW Government funded program that provides financial assistance towards your electricity and/or gas accounts.

Telstra Bill Assistance Program (TBAP)

If you have an account with Telstra you may be eligible to apply for their TBAP which assists you with paying your Telstra bills.

No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS)

BGF will help you apply for a loan of $1500 with no interest to purchase essential goods and services including:

Household goods ie: fridge, washing machine, TV, lounge
Technology ie: mobile phone, laptop, tablet
Health and Wellbeing ie: medical/dental expenses, mobility aids, CPAP machines, eyeglasses
Certain vehicle costs ie: repairs, maintenance, CTP green slips
Other costs ie: including outdoor equipment, education costs, removals, veterinary costs etc

Please note that NILS is not available for paying off debt e.g: credit cards, fines or bank loans. For more information please click HERE.

COVID-19 update

In these unprecedented times, Bobby Goldsmith Foundation is committed to continuing to provide support across all our vital client services, and is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation.

Following recent government advice, and in the interests of protecting all of our clients, employees, volunteers and members of our wider community, we have closed our Sydney office as of Tuesday 24^th March. As a result all employees will be working from home until further notice.

Although the office is not physically open, BGF is still very much open for business and we have redirected all of our phone lines to ensure that client support is available to those who need it in the most efficient way possible. For general enquiries, we can still be contacted on the main office number on 02 9283 8666 and via our emails. We will continue to look at alternative online communication where possible.

BGF’s Community Support workers will continue to support our clients in-person, providing daily essential community services, while practicing infection control and harm minimisation at all times to ensure the health and protection of everyone involved.

We’re here to support everyone in the best way we can. Together we can help people living with HIV to thrive.

Coronavirus information for our communities

BGF values the health, safety and well-being of each person in our community as one of our highest priorities. Guided by public health best practices, we are taking steps to reduce the potential spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) while continuing to provide our most essential services and support. We are closely monitoring and evaluating guidance from the Australian and NSW Departments of Health and will keep our staff, clients and supporters updated as our response evolves.

Supporting both the physical and mental health of all our community members is essential as the local and national response to COVID-19 continues to rapidly change. We provide many essential community services that are needed now more than ever, including grocery shopping, housing assistance, transport to medical appointments and psycho-social support for many vulnerable individuals.

There is a lot of information about COVID-19 in the media and in our communities. Some of it can be difficult to understand. You can access a fact sheet here from the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) to assist with any questions you may have about how this virus could affect people living with HIV. The fact sheet also shares tips and referrals you may find useful.

It is important that we all stay informed and make decisions that are both good for our health and the wider community. If required, self-isolate but don’t be isolated.