Making a Difference

Please read below true accounts from service users who have been positively affected by BHA. When appropriate, names have been changed to ensure confidentiality.

What do I get from volunteering at Skyline?

Volunteering at Skyline has being my lifeline since I was myself diagnosed as HIV positive four years ago. It has given me so many things that it is actually difficult to list them all. I have gained confidence and new abilities. I have gained lifelong friends. I have met so many new people that have inspired me on to do greater things for myself, and to seek out new challenges.

For me personally, volunteering has made me realise that no matter how bad you think your problems may be, that actually there is always someone who is going through something much worse. And each day that I volunteer I feel like I make some difference, no matter how small. It can be very challenging at times, but it is also extremely rewarding. I have absolutely loved my role as a volunteer here at Skyline, and I would urge anyone to get involved as a volunteer, in whatever section interests you the most. The skills I have acquired during my time here include reception work, one to one client support, group work, tutoring, among many others. So if you are seriously considering becoming a volunteer, you should absolutely go for it. I hope you gain as much from it as I have.
Ian

HIV used to be a death sentence for me

I really appreciated the opportunity to gain a better understanding of HIV as a current sexual health issue. I personally got an opportunity to interact with your Community Outreach worker from the HIV Prevention Project on at least three different occasions: in my church, at a party last year in December, and earlier this year around March where I had a quite long one-to-one session with her.

This type of session has been very helpful to me as it has allowed me to get to differentiate HIV from other infections such as Hepatitis B which can also be transmitted through unprotected sex. Today I know at least the term 'co-infection'. And also, I have learned that HIV positive people have higher chances in this country to have healthy HIV negative babies/children. HIV used to be a death sentence to me.
I used to be so scared of those who are already infected, and would not socialise with them. But today I have a more different attitude as I have gained a better understanding of the disease. Thanks to
BHA and in particular the HIV Prevention Project for all the assistance you have provided me in achieving this.
Agnes

Teresa and Sahara

Before coming to the UK, I was in prison in my country (Angola), tortured, abused by different security agents in front of my son and my brother. A military official helped me to escape from there. I arrived in the UK in 2002 and asked for asylum. My case was refused, and I applied again for the second time. While I was waiting for the decision I married Joaquim in 2004 and moved from Sheffield to Manchester.
One night with my husband, we hear knocking at the door, we woke up and it was around 6:25. There were about 8 or 10 people who came to arrest me. That day was my first terrible and scary day, I cannot believe it even now. They took me to Dallas court then to Gatwick detention in London, and then every day a different detention centre. This was between the end of October to November and I was released in December. Since that time I have been feeling insecure in my own house, my depression increased and my son also started having bad thoughts and restless nights. I decided to inform my GP and they sent us to Bridge (children’s mental hospital) where we are receiving support. They advised me to get help from the Sahara Project and I got in touch with Rasha (the lady who supported me a lot when I needed advice). Between my arrangement to get in touch with Rasha in person, I was blessed and granted my indefinite leave in the UK. Since then I started a new life and am feeling more secure in my house. I decided to look for a job and Rasha supported and advised me in how to find a job. I really appreciated meeting with the Routes and Sahara projects. I am very happy now; I wish to achieve more skills and hope to be promoted in a specialised project. In particular I feel more comfortable and confident in managing my life and to be around people we love. I can see the future more than ever. I wish all the best to those who are having or have had the same experience as me, I hope they don't give up and keep faith that they will get through the situation. Many thanks to Routes and Sahara,
Teresa

Fatima's future in Manchester

Fatima and Mohamed Abdurrahman arrived in Manchester in April 2009, along with their 4 children, after living in Denmark for 14 years. The family had originally fled Somalia in 1997, following the breakout of civil war. Fatima has reflected that she felt settled in Denmark but came to the UK to join other family members. Fatima stated that she was very wary of coming to Manchester, particularly as she had limited knowledge of the language and she was scared of how she would integrate and settle with her family.
Fatima was particularly concerned as one of her children, Abdul, has special educational needs, and required support in accessing an appropriate school place. In September, we received a referral from Children's Services and so visited shortly after. Fatima states that no other service had been in contact and she did not know where to turn. When the Routes Family Support Worker, Clementine, arrived on the Abdurrahman doorstep to help, Fatima declares that she was so happy and her confidence immediately picked up.
Through Clementine's intensive support, including completion of the Common Assessment Framework, the family were left feeling 'valued' and 'cared for'. Working with the family, Clementine prioritised all of the issues and proceeded to enroll the other school-age children immediately. Obtaining a school place for Abdul required more in-depth work and through the CAF, Clementine was able to draw on the expertise of other services such as the Parent Support Service (PSS). Jackie Wright from PSS says: 'I find the way in which the Routes Project works very effective. In my view the Routes Project are in a position to take a closer look at the families’ needs and will work effortlessly with other organisations to address family concerns'. Fatima states that without the support of Clementine it would have been very hard to get Abdul into school and she believes that he would still be without a place now. Abdul is now attending a special school full time and Fatima says he loves it. Both Fatima and Mohamed recently attended a parents’ meeting at the school and there was a lot of praise about Abdul and his progression. Fatima and her family are happy with life at the moment. Fatima has said that they are 'feeling optimistic about their future in Manchester'. Fatima in particular is looking forward to learning English at college and then seeing where education will take her next.

Making a Difference

What do I get from volunteering at Skyline?

HIV used to be a death sentence for me

Teresa and Sahara

Fatima's future in Manchester

for equality in health and social care