Report: children and elderly most at risk from HIV related poverty
<Embargoed until 00:01 hrs 28th November 2007>
A damning new report reveals that children and the elderly are most at
risk from HIV-related poverty. Poverty and HIV: findings from the
Crusaid Hardship Fund in Scotland launched this evening in Scottish
Parliament, highlights the effects that stigma and discrimination can
have on the financial situation of people living with HIV.
The report by Crusaid, Waverley Care and HIV Scotland calls for
action in tackling the root causes of poverty among people living with
HIV in Scotland, including addressing age-related poverty, increasing
levels of hate crime, unemployment and poor housing among people living
with HIV.
Policies granting asylum seekers with the right to work after six
months and better access to further education for their children are
also called for.
Poverty and HIV are inextricably linked. Since 1991, half of all
people diagnosed with HIV in Scotland have turned to the Crusaid
Hardship Fund for support. In 2006/07, the average income of applicants
to the Fund was less than £50 per week, while the number of
applications for basic needs such as food and clothing had risen.
“This report highlights how HIV can impact on almost every aspect of a
person’s life when they are living with an HIV diagnosis,” commented
David Johnson, Director of Waverley Care. He added:
“It shows how much poorer life can be, not just in terms of
financial poverty, although this can be considerable, but also poorer
in terms of social inclusion and life chances. The examples of where
the Crusaid Hardship Fund in Scotland has been used to alleviate
individuals’ circumstances illustrate just how pervasive poverty can be
and how important the Fund is in alleviating the worst aspects of
this.”
Steven Inman, Head of Grants and Projects at Crusaid, highlighted
the need for support mechanisms to assist young people in coming to
terms with their HIV diagnoses.
“Trying to come to terms with a chronic and still
highly-stigmatised illness whilst dealing with the pressures of
adolescence and education is for some, an impossible ask. The Crusaid
Hardship Fund works with referring agencies to minimise the immediate
impact of poverty and works to keep family units together with respite
and childcare costs to give young people the best possible start.
“There is now an emerging group of older people living with HIV.
This group is more likely to spend extended periods in poverty due to
low incomes as ill health and discrimination exclude them from the job
market.”
Key facts, the Crusaid Hardship Fund in Scotland
1. The Crusaid Hardship Fund in Scotland has supported one in two people diagnosed with HIV
2. The Fund has disbursed over £1 million in Scotland since 1991
3. The average grant in 2006/07 was £120
4. Over 20% of people receiving grants from the Fund in 2006/07 have one or more dependants.
Key recommendations
1. Age related poverty must be addressed by the Government when
forward planning, both in relation to children and young people and
also for older people living longer with HIV, especially in light of
projections of increasing instances of pensioner poverty.
2. Raising the income of those on low pay and reliant on benefits
is the key starting point for tackling poverty and addressing many of
the difficulties that people frequently report. This will require
effective coordination across all levels of government.
3. Progress in enabling children of asylum seekers to access
university and further education is to be welcomed. Career
opportunities thereafter need to be consistent with this arrangement,
and permission to work should be extended to asylum seekers who have
lived in Scotland for more than six months.
4. Legislation proposed for the Scottish and Westminster
Parliaments to deal with hate crime in relation to disability,
sexuality and transgender status are welcomed and merit government
support. The Crown Office and relevant courts should treat cases of
multiple discrimination as serious aggravations.
Case studies
Laura’s story
“Laura” is 32 and has been living with HIV for two years after
being diagnosed through her anti-natal clinic. She has a small benefit
income as well as a small amount of money from a part time cleaning
job.
Laura’s medical support and weekly hospital treatment is a
considerable way from her home, so she used a local taxi service to
attend her appointments. After becoming acquainted with her regular
driver, Laura let slip about her HIV status. Following this, the taxi
company refused to carry her and told her not to call again. News of
Laura’s condition spread, and she came to be referred to as “the woman
with AIDS”.
Tired of the long round trips to the hospital and discussions
behind her back, Laura found a small flat in Glasgow and the Crusaid
Hardship Fund paid for new locks to make the flat secure and allow
Laura to live with some sense of security.
Makosi’s story
“Makosi”, aged 42, lives with her three children, two of whom are
under the age of 6. Originally from Zimbabwe, Makosi fled to the UK
when her brother was murdered for his political beliefs.
Makosi had lived in south London for three months, staying in a
hostel with her children when one evening she was raped. Following this
attack, Makosi was found to be pregnant, and was diagnosed with HIV.
Makosi was sent to a B&B Scotland as part of a disbursement
programme. The family shared the bathroom with a hostile couple. She
was told she should “go back to her own country” and was “not welcome”.
Makosi joined a group for single parents and through a social
worker applied to the Crusaid Hardship Fund for respite costs to spend
some quality time with a family counsellor to help her deal with the
future. Makosi was given limited leave to remain in the UK recently and
now is attempting to find work so she can rent a flat to live in with
her children.
Peter’s story
“Peter” was diagnosed with HIV after a prolonged bout of flu and
subsequent hospital tests. He later discovered that his long-term
partner, “Graeme”, had been living with the virus for three years but
kept it a secret. The couple’s relationship then turned violent and
soon broke down.
Peter approached the Crusaid Hardship Fund for help to move into
new accommodation. Over time, both men found it increasingly difficult
to maintain their jobs, as ill-health took hold. Graeme also applied to
the Fund when he realised he would not be able to pay the heating bill
on his own and the only alternative was to keep the gas switched off
all winter. Following awards from the Fund, both Peter and Graeme are
now rebuilding their lives, independently from one another, but with
new hope for the future.
About Crusaid
Since 1986, Crusaid has worked towards a vision where people living
with HIV can live with dignity and have a decent quality of life. Our
projects fighting HIV related poverty have provided support across the
UK and Africa to raise the quality of clinical care, promote education
and awareness of the virus and support community projects in the
advancement of good practice and advocacy.
About Waverley Care
The projects of Waverley Care include:
· Milestone House, which was the UK’s first purpose-built hospice
for people with HIV and is now a respite and day care centre
· Waverley Care Solas, which operates a number of community-based advice, information and support services
· a Buddy Service
· most recently, an African Health Project, which operates in NHS
Lothian, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde and NHS Lanarkshire areas.
· Waverley Care took over the administration of the Crusaid Hardship Fund for Scotland in April 2007
About HIV Scotland
HIV Scotland is the independent body for HIV agencies in Scotland.
Recognised by the Scottish Executive and other leading agencies, it is
a first point of contact and information for all. It has been providing
services to people living with HIV in Scotland since 1991.
For further information, copies of the report, comment and interviews please contact
Elana McIntyre Communications Manager, Crusaid
[email protected]
Crusaid directs money, knowledge and support to poor and
marginalised people and communities affected by HIV and AIDS, in the
way that best meets their needs and helps them achieve a decent quality
of life.
For more information please visit : www.crusaid.org.uk
_________________
John Ritchie [email protected]
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