News UPDATES - The world strives forward with barak at the helm.

The Government’s consultation on the Green Paper No one written off: reforming welfare to reward responsibility.

Like other organisations +me commends the Government’s commitment to ensure disabled people have the additional support they need to get back into employment if they are sufficiently well to do so.
However, concerns about the new conditionality that accompanies this additional support, particularly because of the unique difficulties faced by people living with HIV. It is important to consider these difficulties within the disability framework as the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 defined people living with HIV as disabled from the point of diagnosis.
The reforms are likely to have serious consequences for people living with HIV. The
DWP website notes that 1.3% of the population claim Jobseekers Allowance and 3.7% claim Incapacity Benefit. However, a study carried out of people living with HIV in London found that the rates of claiming benefit amongst people living with HIV were significantly higher.
HIV in the new October 2009 - Following the announcement of detailed analysis of the phase III Thai HIV vaccine trial, Deborah Jack, Chief Executive of NAT, comments;
"The Thai trial is a milestone in the search for a vaccine against HIV.　 Detailed analysis shows that the benefit was modest and primarily in the heterosexual community. However, it remains the case that this was the first ever vaccine candidate to show protection in humans.
These results are an incredible opportunity for scientists to discover new clues about HIV and learn how a HIV vaccine could work in practise.　 These lessons will be used to advance new vaccine candidates that are already in the development pipeline.
Today work to get treatment to people with HIV is vital, but we also have a responsibility to future generations to continue investing in developing an effective vaccine that will end the HIV pandemic."　

HIV in the news November 2009 - President Barack Obama has announced that the 22 year old ban on allowing people living with HIV into the United States will be lifted.　 HIV infection will be officially removed from the definition of communicable diseases of public health significance as of January 1st, 2010.
Deborah Jack, Chief Executive of NAT (National AIDS Trust) said;
　"We are delighted by today's announcement. NAT has long campaigned for the lifting of travel restrictions. A recent NAT research study1 identified restrictions on travelling overseas as the biggest limitation faced at work by people living with HIV in the UK. This decision will make an enormous difference to the lives of many HIV positive people and is a real step forward for equality."　
Sex and Relationships Education as part of the National Curriculum
Personal, Social, Health and Economic education (PSHE education) will be made compulsory in schools from September 2011. Ed Balls has confirmed that personal, social, health and economic education (PSHE education) including sex and relationships education, will be made compulsory in schools from September 2011.

So to get you in the mood weve added a little music click the link , kick ya heels and book your trip!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqlJl1LfDP4

Courses all up and running

Our 1st Seven week self management programme completed in July with 7 clients successfully completing the course.

August we held a Food Hygiene Course level 2 , many thanks to Steve at Fareshare for this training and the Negotiating and Advocacy course went ahead and proved to be really popular,

September Courses are First Aid and An introduction to Volunteering

Anybody wishing to put their name forward please give us a call on 01226 320148

or email us info@plusme.org

Investors in people accreditation

June 2009 saw +me accredited with the Nationally recognised Investors In People Award, +me were delighted to have worked with Louise Barlow in gaining this award and are truly proud to accept this as a sign that we are doing everything we should be , not just for our clients but for our volunteers too.

Chester Zoo May 2009

Thankyou to Everybody who attended the +me Summer excursion to Chester Zoo, with a full coach of over 40 attending , it was a great family day out and a welcome
break for our clients , their carers and our co-workers from our local support and health agencies. There were many great things to see at Chester Zoo , there was even some unique electric chair formation dancing!! Quite a spectacle in itself.

The really great thing to see and a true measure was the smiling faces amongst everybody who came along and enjoyed the day, and ofcourse the snoring on the bus during the journey way home! Proof of a great RESULT!!!!.

Looking to get into shape?

Looking to get in shape? Wanting to take up a new form of exercise?
Barnsley Premier Leisure, based at the Metrodome Leisure Complex, is offering 24 free gym, swim or class lessons to people who suffer from certain conditions, as part of its Exercise Referral scheme. If you suffer with-

· Asthma
· Corticosteroids
· Depression
· Diabetes
· Dieting
· Hysterectomy
· Menopause
· Obesity
· Osteoarthritis
· Rheumatoid
· Arthritis

Then you may be eligible. To qualify, consult your GP or practise nurse to be recommended for the scheme.

+ME went bowling recently with 21 of you turning up to strike and make turkeys of yourselves, a great time was had, we are thinking of Chester Zoo for our Summer jaunt, so if your interested come in and put your name down , bus seats are filling up fast!!

Bone Marrow News

Bone marrow transplant delivers hope, but no concrete cure

After a story hit the news late last year that an American man had been “cured” of HIV after receiving a bone marrow transplant, much speculation ensued as to whether a widespread cure for the condition had been uncovered.

The patient, 42, who remains unnamed, underwent the transplant in Berlin’s Charite Clinic three years ago, in which he was given the bone marrow of a donor who had a natural resistance to HIV, a condition which is thought to exist in roughly 1% of Europeans.

Following the transplant the patient has shown no signs of suffering from the condition and has not received anti-retroviral treatment. However, HIV is known for its ability to lie latently within the system, and although tests to detect the virus within the patient have uncovered no signs of its presence, scientific researchers are quick to state more extensive testing would need to take place before it could be confirmed that the virus had been permanently eradicated from his system.

Nonetheless, the patient’s apparent recovery has sparked much debate within the scientific community as to whether a widespread cure for HIV lies in bone marrow transplant. The prospect of transplants themselves being used as a common prevention is unlikely due to both the expensive and dangerous nature of the procedure, with 1 in 3 transplants resulting in the recipient dying. Rather, it is thought that through utilizing the resistant gene, a genetic therapy could be developed that would realign HIV sufferers’ cells to block the virus and neutralise its effects, and that this therapy could be administered through injection, making it relatively cheap and easily distributable.

Despite this possible breakthrough, leading scientists in the fields of Biochemistry and Immunology have asserted any cure of this nature is decades, rather than years away, a sentiment echoed by the Terrence Higgins Trust. Deputy Chief Executive Paul Ward stated-
"This case gives us something to explore in future studies but it's certainly not a quick fix as gene therapy is complex and expensive.
“With no cure in sight, prevention should be our number one priority”.

How to find us

How to find us
The Core, County Way, Barnsley, S70 2JW
Tel:
+ me 01226 320148 Monday & Thursday 9-5pm
Helpline 07543442547 Sunday &Wednesday night 7-10pm
Find us from the M1
Leave the M1 at Junction 37 and follow the A628 towards Barnsley. Follow the A628 through the traffic lights and down to the roundabout.
Take the 2nd exit on the left and follow the road past the Library (on the left). Follow the road round to the left and move to the right hand lane at the traffic lights.
Turn right and follow the road back into the town centre. Take the next left (Town Hall on the right) into Regent Street and take the 1st left just before the Courthouse pub. The Core is on the left hand side.

Ten things you may like to know about HIV Treatment

Ten things you may not know about HIV treatment-and may find useful!

1-Treatment leads to a longer, healthier life
Despite no cure existing for HIV, doctors state that through taking a combination of anti-retroviral drugs, almost all sufferers can live a normal life.

2-The best HIV care comes through seeking the NHS’s help
If you are entitled to care through the NHS, your HIV treatment, care and medicines will all be provided free of charge, and this will be administered through specialist HIV clinics. The doctors there will regularly check to see how HIV is affecting your immune system, and explain fully the treatment needed.

3-The goal of HIV treatment is an “undetectable viral load”
This means that the medicine you take to treat HIV will reduce the levels of HIV in the blood to an extremely low level, allowing your immune system to stay strong enough to fight infections and stopping HIV from becoming resistant to the treatment.

4-HIV treatment consists of three or more different drugs
This mixture of treatments helps to reduce the risk of HIV becoming resistant to the drugs you are taking.

5-The best time to start HIV treatment is unknown
However, if your immune system has been weakened through HIV, or you have become ill because of HIV, you should begin treatment.

6-There are guidelines relating to the exact treatment you should receive
Different people need different treatment, such as pregnant women and people who have received HIV drugs before, and specialist guidelines outlining the course their treatment takes are provided.

7-It is important to take anti-HIV drugs in the manner you have been instructed to
Not taking the drugs in the correct manner creates a risk the drugs will not work properly, immediately or during future treatment, and therefore it is vital to-
Take all doses of medicine at the right time
Take medicine in the manner in which you have been instructed, for instance, with or without food
It is also important you do not take other drugs or medicines which may affect your HIV treatment.

8-HIV treatment helps prevent HIV being passed from mother to baby
The risk of pregnant women passing HIV on to their unborn child is dramatically reduced by their receiving HIV treatment during pregnancy.

9-HIV treatment can bring about side effects
HIV treatment is to protect and improve health; however, it can cause side effects. If you do experience side effects, make sure to inform your doctor, as there is a good chance there will be a solution.

10-HIV treatment does not prevent the transmission of HIV
Therefore, it is vital to take precautions even if you are receiving treatment. Condoms effectively prevent the transmission of HIV during sex, and clean needles can be provided if you inject drugs, never share needles or other injecting equipment.