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About Us

Herts Aid started life in 1991 as the “East Herts Support Group”. The group was formed to meet the needs of local people living with HIV and AIDS. Herts Aid itself was launched on World AIDS Day 1992.In August 1993 Hertfordshire County Council granted Herts Aid a lease on Cedar Cottage in the beautiful and peaceful parkland of the Goldings Estate just outside Hertford. The cottage was restored and the organisation moved into its new home. In May 1997, Herts Aid moved to Amwell End, Ware, and in July 2003 Herts Aid moved to its present offices in Ware Town Centre. In July 2011, following requests from Herts County Council and NHS Hertfordshire, Herts Aid expanded its services countywide and opened an office in Watford, at the Wellbeing Centre.

Herts Aid is a voluntary organisation. Registered charity no: 1130366 Company registration no: 6910096

Herts Aid is pleased to announce that we have been awarded a further three year contract from Hertfordshire County Council to deliver an HIV and Sexual Health service across Hertfordshire for the period 2013-2016. Our services will continue to be delivered from our Ware and Watford sites, as well as in the community as required.

We remain committed to ensuring that:

  • Services are available to all who need them
  • The reduction of HIV is a principle of delivery
  • We support the priorities of Hertfordshire’s Health and Wellbeing strategy
  • Our service encourages re-enablement and re-engagement
  • We work in partnership with clinical, local authority and community organisations to ensure added value and seamless service provision for the end user

Mission Statement:

Herts Aid is an HIV and Sexual Health Charity providing support and clinical and educational services, in and around Hertfordshire.  We achieve this by offering emotional and practical support, educational projects and community based clinics.

We are a service user led organisation, which is committed to ensuring a culture that is warm, inclusive and caring.

Vision Statement:

Herts Aid strives for and is committed to promoting an inclusive society where HIV and sexual health is understood and accepted without prejudice or stigma.

 

Some of our services…

 

Outreach & Support

Herts Aid offers information and help to anyone with questions about HIV and AIDS, as well as confidential support. Our HIV Support team work together with a team of trained volunteers to provide befriending, and other practical and emotional support. If someone is unable to come to our offices in Ware, Watford or Stevenage, we can visit them either at home or somewhere else where they prefer.

Counselling

Herts Aid offers a counselling service, using only BACP accredited counsellors. Please contact us if you would like more information regarding this service.

Quality of Life Club/Support Groups

Part of Herts Aid’s commitment to Positive Living, the Club’s monthly meetings are for people infected or affected by HIV to pool experiences, and exchange information and ideas about living positively with the virus. Often there are guest speakers, covering topics of particular interest for our members. We also offer gender specific peer support groups which enable members to talk about issues relevant to their own sex, a Sunday Lunch at our Watford office and support for partners and family members of positive people.

Citizens Advice Service

In conjunction with the Citizens advice service, Herts Aid can offer appointments with a trained advisor regarding issues such as: debt, financial advice, benefits, housing, relationship breakdown and other issues which require professional advice.  The Advisor is available either in person by appointment at Herts Aid’s office in Ware and Watford, or by telephone or email.  Please contact us if you wish to make use of this service.

Immigration Advisory Service

Working with Blavo & Co Solicitors, St Albans, Herts Aid can offer an appointment to see an Immigration solicitor for advice,  at our premises in Ware.  This service is by appointment only.  Please contact a member of staff to make an appointment.

Hardship Grants & Children’s Fund

Herts Aid can offer small grants from our hardship fund or children’s fund for those who are in financial crisis as a result of HIV infection.  Both are maintained by fundraising events and donations.  We also refer to other agencies for hardship grants. All are subject to meeting financial criteria.

Social Events

Herts Aid arranges quarterly social events accross Hertfordshire such as BBQ’s, bowling, pizza nights and days out which are open to all service users and their partners.  Social events are arranged as a response from feedback provided by service users during our Annual Client Review.

HIV/AIDS/ Awareness/Prevention and Sexual Health Information

We have been providing safer sex and sexual health workshops for schools, colleges and other organisations for the last 17 years, which we can adapt to be age appropriate. In conjunction with Hyperfusion Theatre Company, we also offer two Theatre in Education Productions aimed at young people in year 9 and above, entitled: “It Won’t Happen To Me” and “Love, Lies & Lullabies”. Both plays incorporate “forum theatre” which allows young people to become involved in the production.

SCREAM:

Funded by Stevenage Practice Based Commissioning, SCREAM (Sex, Contraception, Relationships, Education And Mentoring) is an innovative project consisting of cohesive and interlinking services which aim to reduce under 18 conception rates and promote good sexual health for life.  Aimed at young people in Stevenage, the project includes Theatre in Education, ITEXT, Chlamydia Screening and Peer Education.

Itext 07813 684 294

To support our TIE production, we offer an itext messaging service to young people.  This service enables young people to ask questions and for information anonymously by text, that they may feel too embarrassed to ask someone in person or on the phone.  Texts are charged at their standard network rate, and they do not pay for our reply.

Investors in People

In November 2012, Herts Aid was assessed by Investors in People for accreditation for the core standard, which was successfully achieved. Investors in People is a nationally recognised quality assurance standard that sets out levels of good people practice. It focuses on managing performance, strategic planning, effective management, culture and communication and developing people, and one has to meet all the required criteria to achieve the award.