Impact Report Dedicated to M... Always loved, still missed and very dear to Body & Soul
Living with love... “Today I live life with excitement and ambition, ready to face the challenges and adventures that lie ahead.”
I was a shy kid.
When I was 12, I contracted meningitis and fell into a coma. Whilst I was recovering, my mum told me I was HIV positive. I knew nothing about HIV. I thought I had been given a death sentence, that all prospects of a future life had vanished. The first time I visited Body & Soul, I was so scared. I thought the people there would be visibly sick. How wrong I was! People were smiling, hugging, laughing.
“I have Body & Soul to thank for their guidance and support through times of darkness, for being my light along the way.”
It was so different from what I expected HIV to be. I began to feel safe. I could express my feelings and I opened up more and more. I think even without HIV, being a teenager would have been tough. I was afraid to speak my mind, afraid to deal with everything that was happening in my life. Creativity, through music, poetry and art was a release for me. I could communicate, I could try to understand what was going on inside of me, and Body & Soul was instrumental in making that happen.
“HIV can make you feel so alone, but it’s impossible to feel alone at Body & Soul.” “Body & Soul gave me the love and support I needed to visualise and work towards my ambitions.
With this support my confidence and my voice grew stronger. As I became more engaged with the organisation, I saw it not only as my support system, but as an organisation I could help. From a 12 year old boy who thought he had nothing to live for, I am now living with a purpose and an energy for the future. I could not have achieved this without Body & Soul. Every week I see more and more people joining Body & Soul. More and more people, needing gentle, consistent love and care. I hope after reading our Impact Report you will see why investing in Body & Soul makes sense! In a report conducted by the New Economics Foundation looking at young peoples’ programmes at Body & Soul, they reported a return of £5.32 in social value for every £1. I know my life has transformed, I just hope that the thousands of other children, teens and families’ lives can also be transformed.”
Welcome to our
Impact Report September 2014
Body & Soul’s approach to measuring, interpreting and communicating impact has been recognised as a model of best practice in the voluntary sector. Our internal Impact Strategy is a clearly defined, accessible and formalised theory of change outlined in one comprehensive document. The Impact Strategy informs programming across all age groups including our public and campaigning activities. The Impact Strategy outlines: The needs of Body & Soul’s target population The rationale behind those needs being prioritised The mission, vision, values and aims of Body & Soul The interventions that will address these needs across multiple age-groups The indicators that provide evidence of Body & Soul meeting those needs.
This report illustrates the impact of Body & Soul’s interventions with members of all ages living with HIV, volunteers and the wider public.
Body & Soul’s Aims N MAINTAI D N A E V O G TO IMPR ELLBEIN W D N A LTH PEOPLE THE HEA G N U O Y DREN, H OF CHIL ING WIT V I L S E I IL D AND FAM AFFECTE Y L E S O G, AND CL ENGAGIN H G U O R H ED BY HIV T RY-BAS O E H T D E AN CREATIV MMING. PROGRA
TO BE AN AM BI TI OU S AN D DE DIC AT ED CO MM UN IT Y PR OM OT ING KN OW LE DG E AN D CR EA TI NG EM PA TH Y TH RO UG H SH AR ED , EX PE RT IS E AN D EX PE RI EN CE CO NS TA NT LY ST RI VI NG TO MA KE A LA ST ING IM PA CT ON TH E WO RL D.
TO CREATE AN A C T IV E AND OPEN ENV IR O N M E N T WHERE HOPES AND A S P IR A T IO N S ARE ID E N T IF IE D , N U RTURED A N D A C H IE V E D . TO RESP OND
TO THE D IVERSE AND COM PLEX NE EDS OF MEMBER S IN A VO LATILE AND CHA LLENGIN G PUBLI ENVIRON C MENT W ITH TENA CITY, INNOVAT ION AND INTEGRIT Y.
T O P R O V ID E A S T IM U L A T IN G AT E N V IR O N M E N T T H G IS A N E M P O W E R IN RESOURCE FOR A T IO N , S U P P O R T , IN F O R M A N D ENCOURAGEMENT CHANGE.
Over the past 18 years, Body & Soul has seen the HIV landscape in the UK change. Today, Body & Soul supports over 4,000 children, teenagers and adults who are striving to overcome the challenges that HIV sets before them and the people they love. Members who first attended Body & Soul as children now visit with their own families. To thousands, Body & Soul is a trusted and vital aspect of daily life, a second home and a second family. As the years go by, our members’ needs may change but Body & Soul’s support is constant. We adapt and grow in order to offer the best support for our members to thrive.
Mental Health
A recent study by HIV Clinicians demonstrated the clear correlation between mental health diagnoses and HIV.
47%
of young people living with HIV had a formal psychiatric diagnosis or displayed behaviours indicating psychological distress.
Statistically lower CD4 counts were recorded in those with formal psychiatric diagnoses and especially psychological distress.
The most prevalent diagnosed psychiatric disorders were depressive and anxiety disorders. The most prevalent risk behaviours exhibited amongst those with diagnosed psychiatric behaviours included:
Sel f-h arm Dr ug /a lco ho l ad dic tio n Su ici de at te mp ts Un pla nn ed pr eg na nc y Treatment non-adherence
Our Response
Body & Soul promotes positive mental health for people of all ages living with and closely affected by HIV. In 2013, 140 workshops were aimed at promoting positive mental health among members aged 13+ Over 1800 hours of professional one-to-one mental health interventions including counselling, life coaching and mentoring for members aged 13+
289 hours
of specialised children’s one-to-one interventions including 102 hours of play therapy, 147 hours of music therapy and 40 hours of children’s dance therapy.
Our Programmes
Our Impact
89% Teens and 82% Adults feel happier as a result of attending Body & Soul
60% of children aged between
9 - 11 years who began the naming process of HIV within their families have completed this journey.
Psychosocial wellbeing
70%
of members aged 10-12 look after a parent or a family member for over one hour a day (47% for more than 4 hours)
96% of members aged 13-19 do not talk about HIV with friends outside Body & Soul
59% of members aged 10-12 feel like they are not understood by their friends outside of Body & Soul
Physical health Our Programmes workshops
Our Response
Individual social assessments
with all new members and periodical checkins with registered members of all ages track distance travelled and identify areas for further growth and support.
10,224
meals were provided to members of all ages on service evenings, promoting peer networks, sharing of experiences and good nutritional behaviours.
96
20
young people trained as peer mentors providing peer support to younger members of the BaSe and Teen Spirit groups.
595 children attended group, themed
workshops wellbeing.
promoting
psychosocial
Our Impact
98% of adults reported
a decrease in isolation. Since coming to Body & Soul:
91% 97% 84%
of adults feel they have more people to talk to about HIV
Body & Soul has given me hope I have an optimistic perspective in life. I feel like I have renewed hope for the future..
There was a time when I used to go without food, but Body & Soul has changed all that.
My viral load has come down.
I couldn’t ask for more. I used to think negatively but now I feel so much more positive about everything.
I have gained a lot through peer support and am more knowledgeable about HIV.
of teens feel more confident expressing their thoughts and feelings of adults feel like they are part of a community
because...
HIV isn’t going to hold me back. I am more free to speak about my health and that frees me from stress.
I feel much less stressed. I’m feeling happier and more confident.
91% adults and 80% teens feel like they
Our Response
Practical Support
Of the 358 adults referred to Body & Soul for support in 2013, 1 in 3 said that they most urgently needed practical support around:
recent unemployment emergency hardship applications
securing adequate food or housing for themselves and their families
immigration
issues legal issues
HOMELESSNESS
In response to a surge in demand for practical support, Body & Soul trained 18 volunteers to provide basic practical support and casework for adult members, hugely improving capacity. Closely supervised by Body & Soul’s in-house social worker, the “Help Centre” addressed the immediate needs of members with elementary practical support.
212 applications were made for financial hardship support 159 legal appointments 86 immigration appointments 5,300
In addition, over casework episodes providing support and advocacy around issues such as:
Welfare and benefits entitlements Children’s Services Housing Legal work Immigration
Our Programmes
Our Impact
Value of successful hardship applications: ÂŁ23,388 This does not include nutritional support through food parcels and in-kind grants of furniture, white goods, clothing and toys.
98%
of
92%
feel that accessing casework support
100%
members
accessing
casework
support at Body & Soul feel that it helped them manage their basic needs
at Body & Soul has helped them feel less stressed
of
members
accessing
practical
support at Body & Soul feel more comfortable working on these issues at Body & Soul
Physical Health
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence estimates between a third and a half of all medicines prescribed for long term conditions are not taken as recommended. If HIV treatment is not taken according to very specific treatment schedules, patients risk becoming resistant to the medication which means it no longer works.
People living with HIV may find it hard to take their medicine regularly due to:
Our Response
In 2013, Body & Soul promoted Physical Health through: Regular, age-appropriate surveys measuring HIV knowledge and risky behaviours among members aged 10+
109
physically active workshops including dance, martial arts and boxercise
100%
o f m e m b e r s a cce s s i n g programmes engaged in the nutrition programme
Side effects (61% of adults at Body & Soul experience side effects) Complex regimens The impact of taking medication on their daily life Medicine as a reminder of ill health Fear of disclosure
64
HIV-specific workshops members aged 13+
for
Our Programmes
Our Impact
“Before I came to the BaSe all I knew was that me and mum had to go to the hospital every few months and take all these pills every day. In a way, it’s easier now I know about HIV. I have people I can talk to and I know that I can ask questions that are bothering me.”
Maliah*, 12 years old Since coming to Body & Soul: 94%
adults and 93% teenagers have improved HIV knowledge
97%
teens know more about HIV transmission and safer sex
89% adults feel they are better at taking medication
93% of adults at Body & Soul take their medication every day
One in Seven children in the UK live in jobless households.
Among children at Body & Soul that figure rises to
Six in Seven.
Our Response
Our award winnning volunteering programme provides structured volunteering opportunities for members to develop ski l ls, experience and realise their potential. 96 Launchpad Education sessions for members aged 6-19 led by volunteer teachers providing access to literacy and numeracy, homework help, paired reading, UCAS applications, CV writing, careers advice and goal-setting through group and 1:1 interventions
288 Skills
development sessions for members
aged 13+ “If anyone had told me 15 months ago when I was pregnant, alone and living on the street that I would now be housed, healthy and safe, I wouldn’t have believed them. Body & Soul is the reason for everything good that has happened since then. Thanks to them, I’m now doing great with my baby girl, I am applying for apprenticeships and jobs and I am managing my own health positively. I have been given a gift.. that is i realise that I can build a bright future for me and my daughter” Anna
Our Programmes
Our Impact
Maximising chances for success
96%
86%
71%
of young people at Body & Soul are in education or training
of adults feel more confident since coming to Body & Soul
of BaSe children feel they are doing better in school since coming to Body & Soul
Over 20%
of children in London lack 6 of the 10 items which the government has identified as everyday items on their scale of material deprivation. This is compared with
40%of children at Body & Soul
Maria’s mentoring journey Maria*, aged 26, HIV+ blind and in a wheelchair
Arrived at her first session She haddeeply beendepressed, spending alothad of been timeisolating drinking herself, drinking alone alone and harbouring and harbouring suicidal suicidal thoughts . thoughts.
Completing Completing an application application an foraaBBC BBC for internship internship
p at Go to a playgrou k least once a wee
Arrived at her first session deeply depressed, Arrived at her first had been isolating session deeply depressed, herself, alone had beendrinking isolating and harbouring herself.suicidal thought s
Identifying herher Identifying ambitions and ambitions andhowhow they had had changed they changedsince since developing blindness developing blindness and using a and using achair chair
Maria is one of Maria one of only 8ispeople only 8apeople offered place on offered a place on the scheme. the scheme.
8.5 hours of Mentoring addressing
what Maria needed in her life
Maria beats 1000 other applicants to get an interview
Interview skills training
Support around Support around talking about talking about her her disability inin aa disability professional professional setting setting
Volunteering at Body & Soul “Thanks to an incredible 250-strong workforce of volunteers from all walks of life, Body & Soul helps with everything from legal advice, to taking up a new hobby. I’m delighted to announce they have won a Big Society Award for this invaluable work to support
Developing Connected, Socially Responsible Citizens Volunteers at Body & Soul come from every London borough, and bring a wealth of experience, skills, outlook and energy to the team. A truly voluntary organisation, Body & Soul prides itself on the input of our volunteer team, which consists of members, non-members and employees from our company partners.
people living with HIV, their friends and their families.” David Cameron
Volunteers at Body & Soul keep coming back.
1 in 3 volunteers have been volunteering at
Body & Soul for over 3 years. Volunteering at Body & Soul is not a lesson in sympathy, it is a way to take an active role in the world, where the impact each person makes is undeniable.
Volunteers at Body & Soul have a strong understanding of the issues facing the members.
92%
of volunteers feel confident in their understanding of the impact of poverty on individuals and families.
Vo lu nt e e r i n g a t Body & Soul is a transformative, lifechanging process. 70%
Over of volunteers believe that volunteering at Body & Soul has led to significant changes in their academic or career path.
84%
of volunteers give over 10 hours of volunteering time every month
Non-member volunteers gave 18,951 hours in 2013, equating to more than 10 additional staff members.
Volunteer teams from companies such as ACCA, Rufus Leonard, L’Oreal, Northern Trust, Norton Rose Fulbright, William Morris Entertainment, Standard Chartered Bank, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Bloomberg, Comic Relief, Rothschild and City & Guilds gave over 1,500 hours in 2013
Member volunteers gave 4,577 hours in 2013. This is an increase of 1,100 hours from 2012.
“I chose to do a masters in Social Work as a direct result of time spent at Body & Soul”
“I based my thesis on the importance of support interventions for children affected by HIV. Now I am pursuing a career in therapy.”
“i am starting a new career as a counsellor and now have the chance to start working in a charity.”
“I’ve become more focused and changed my approach to looking at things”
“Volunteering has affirmed my ambition to work in health promotion”
“it has made me more confident in dealing with difficult situations which has helped me at work. It has also contributed to me taking up a counselling course.”
Volunteering at Body & Soul changes the way individuals view themselves and the connection they want to make with the world around them. The changes our volunteers have made in their academic or career paths further underline their diversity and extraordinary human capital. Volunteers at Body & Soul build meaningful, valuable relationships with members and each other.
In the UK, nearly 100,000 people are living with HIV. In 2012 there were 6,360 new HIV positive diagnoses.
Press and publicity
Awards and achievements
In 2013, we reached out to the public through: 10 Downing Street Big Society Award
BBC Radio 1 BBC Radio 2 BBC Breakfast
WON
BBC 5 Live Channel 4 Embarrassing Bodies HI GHL Y COMMEN DED
Evening Standard
Charity Website of the Year
Design Week
UK Sexual Health Awards: Pamela Sheridan Sex and Relationships Education Award
Guardian Mumsnet Vogue
Voluntary Action Islington Volunteer of the Year
Charity Times Awards Campaign of the Year: Life in my Shoes
Glamour Metro
RSPH Health and Wellbeing Award
FINALIST
National Lottery Awards Education Category: Life in my Shoes Charity Times Awards: CrossSector Partnership
Social Change
We continue to work hard to make the world a kinder and more accepting place for people living with HIV. Our powerful campaign Life in my Shoes promotes understanding and fosters empathy through engaging, exciting and innovative exhibitions and events, classroom resources, competitions and film. In Summer 2013, Life in my Shoes hosted an exhibition on London’s South Bank. Conceived, designed and produced in partnership with a host of exciting brands and creative talent, the exhibition was a major public platform to share the Life in my Shoes message. The exhibition had an estimated footfall of 120,000 people, combined with an estimated reach of 750,000 people through social media and press coverage.
Life in my Shoes
In April 2014 the Life in my Shoes education resource was launched. It is free for all schools, youth groups and organisations working with young people. The centrepiece of the resource is the short film Undefeated.
“I always have a feeling of dread when I’m asked to look at projects like this but this is absolutely superb. I love the realistic tone, the characters, the dialogue, the messages - it’s one of the best Sex Ed resources I think I’ve ever come across.” Justin Hancock, Bish Sex and Relationships Education Training
“I was truly amazed at how confident and comfortable the Life in my Shoes ambassadors were when they came to talk to us. It was perhaps a daunting experience for them, but they quickly settled in and were introducing themselves to everybody and talking completely openly about their experience. This was a fantastic opportunity for Janssen and I am over the moon that I was able to invite my fellow employees to hear such inspiring words from the girls who experience stigma throughout their lives. Their stories were truly inspiring and I was so impressed with how they presented themselves” Lara Cochrane, Associate Product Manager, Janssen HIV
“I was captivated from start to finish. It highlighted for me the issue of young people in school who have contracted HIV; it truly was not a thought before seeing the film, I’m ashamed to say. It definitely is an important issue one which the film without a shadow of a doubt covered superbly. It made me feel empowered to raise the issue among the young people I work with and excited about the prospect of having such a tool to work with.” Wendy Boyce, Missing Practitioner at The Children’s Society
“I have met some of the young people attending Body & Soul and I have been struck by their courage and strength. For these young people, the implications of their health condition extend beyond their physical wellbeing. I was moved to hear that many are also grappling with bereavement or carer responsibilities whilst the prejudice of others compels them to live in silence. Body & Soul is a place where they can get support to overcome these challenges and gain encouragement to succeed. HIV is an issue affecting all communities in the UK and it is essential that we reach a wider audience to build awareness and challenge stigma.” David Lammy MP
Growing the branches of life “When you think of childhood, you hope for a time of love, security and growth. For me, my childhood was one of rape and abuse. And this was not a passing chapter, it was like a series of books that just kept going. In 2010 my story brought me to London. I was trafficked here, I didn’t even know where I was when I arrived. I was kept like a hostage in somebody’s house and the rape and abuse continued to happen over and over again. I became sick and was diagnosed HIV positive. Trafficking, rape and abuse cut away my dreams but my positive HIV diagnosis tore my life apart. I felt like I was dying. It was at this point that the roots of the tree started to grow without me even knowing. I was referred to Body & Soul by my doctor at hospital. It was here I found love, peace and life. Body & Soul has been my mother, my father, my family and my home.
By building my morale and confidence, I now think about my future health and life. No-one can navigate their way through this complex journey we call life, without support. Body & Soul has enabled me to be the true me, the person I am today. I am able to manage those difficult times when I am ill. I have begun my studies at college and I am able to build for my future. Most of all, I am able to find peace within. I have planted roots and I am growing the branches of a new life. I knew nothing about HIV before Body & Soul. I am now informed, loved and empowered to own my life.�
With more and more children, young people and families coming to Body & Soul for support, we rely on your generosity now more than ever.
Become a regular giver today and help transform lives.
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