All Saint's Musical Productions perform Rent at The Lowry

posted: 08/02/2012

A musical production at the Lowry aims to donate some of their proceeds to helping people living with HIV at George House Trust.  RENT by the All Saints Musical Productions will be at the The Quays Theatre from Tuesday 1st – Saturday 5th May 2012.
 

This extraordinary rock musical tells the heart-breaking yet optimistic story of a group of artistic friends that struggle to survive whilst living with debt, unemployment and HIV/AIDS.  There is a rollercoaster of emotions where controversial issues are taken head-on and dealt with openly and without judgement, offering a gritty and intimate snapshot of 1990’s New York. 

Featuring ‘Seasons of Love’ and a tribute to La boheme, the Puccini opera on which it is based, RENT is a musical like no other that will both move and inspire you.

Tickets can be purchased here and are £12 & £15 if you buy 10 then you get the 10th ticket free.

Further information about the All Saints Musical Productions can be found here
 

Volunteers "step up" at George House Trust

posted: 26/07/2011

George House Trust is delighted to announce that it has received a grant from Awards for All to create an exciting new volunteer role, within our busy Services Team.

Advice Support Volunteers will be matched to individual staff members and will support with a range of tasks including researching information, making phone calls, completing financial applications for service users, contacting volunteers and supporting around monitoring and evaluation and administration.

This is fantastic opportunity for volunteers to develop skills and experience in health and social care and advice work.

The grant from Awards for all will enable three volunteers to undertake an NVQ Level 3 in Advice and Guidance, as part of their volunteering. It also provides vital funds to reimburse volunteer travel expenses and help with childcare costs for volunteers to attend the induction training for this role.

Deadline for applications for this volunteer role is Monday 1st August 2011.
If you are interested in this role, please take a note of the following dates. If we invite you to interview, interviews will take place on Thursday 4th August. There will also be training taking place on the 10th, 11th and 12th August.

Please email: volunteering@ght.org.uk for a copy of the role description and information about how to apply. Priorty will be given to applications from people living with HIV.

Laura Hamilton
Volunteer & Development Manager

Amanda Orr
Adviser 

DLA to PIP Benefit Plans

posted: 10/05/2011

The benefit called Disability Living Allowance (DLA) will be replaced from 2013 - 14 with a new benefit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP). The government has just published their detailed proposals for how this new benefit will be assessed and asks for public comments.

Disability Living Allowance some people with HIV now recieve comes in two flavours - the care component (with 3 rates of payment), and the mobility component (with 2 rates of payment). The top rate of the mobility component is converted by many people into a leased car from Motability.
 

The government intends to cut 20% from the benefits bill when they make the change from DLA to PIP, so the rules for Personal Independence Payment are tougher than the DLA rules, so PIP will go to people ‘with the greatest need’. This means some people will no longer get the benefit or will get less than now.
 

Most people get DLA after simply filling in a claim form. Everyone getting PIP will face a medical assessment as well as filling in a claim form.

Most people will want something simple to read and understand. The Disability Alliance has a useful factsheet page which is kept updated.

The official explanation and consultation documents

Comments by 6 June

The deadline for public comments on these proposals is 6 June. Leading HIV organisations will be making comments on these proposals.

Hardest Hit March - Wednesday

posted: 09/05/2011

1 in 6 people living with HIV have lived in severe poverty in the past three years. On Wednesday 11th May there is a national march in London and mass lobby of MPs at the House of Commons to protest against the government's planned cuts and changes to benefits.

The cuts and benefit changes will make matters worse for the many people living with HIV who rely on Disability Living Allowance, Incapacity Benefit and Employment Support Allowance.
 

National march and lobby of MPs

People from across the country are coming together on May 11th in London to protest against these cuts and changes and to the cuts to local services which provide key services for people living with disabilities including HIV.
 

People with HIV will be joining the march and lobbying of MPs and if you'd like to be part of this and walk alongside the THT and NAT and other banners, you can find out where and when to meet up by contacting Guy Slade at THT (020 7812 1631). Also register and find out more details on the Hardest Hit website.

Once you've registered, you can email your MP to ask to meet with them as part of the lobby at the House of Commons after the march.

If you arrange a meeting, tell THT, who can advise on what you could say to your MP and ask for.
 

Benefits Help Leaflets

posted: 05/05/2011

Many people with HIV are facing changes to benefits and to help with this THT and NAT have two updated factsheets with useful information and advice.

The first leaflet gives general advice and information about benefits when living with HIV – it is for people with HIV who are on benefits, applying for benefits or considering
taking paid work which could reduce or change the amount of benefit.

It is designed to help people find out their entitlement and how best to manage applications, reviews and appeals.

It offers online, written, interactive and phone options for getting help because different people may find different ways of getting the information helpful.
Benefits Advice for People with HIV

On Incapacity Benefit? 

The second leaflet is for people already on Incapacity Benefit who will all have their claims reviewed over the next year or so. People will be reviewed and reassessed under the rules for Employment Support Allowance which replaces Incapacity Benefit.

From Incapacity Benefit to Employment Support Allowance

It makes sense to be prepared and seek help.
 

Image