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.

World Aids Day 2008

Barnsley Interchange was host to our fund raising and tombola event on World Aids Day, we chose this venue simply due the the flow of people of all ages , and walks of life from all areas of Barnsley, We had a great day and gave out lots of information and advice and raised some much appreciated cash too, all whilst raising the awareness of HIV /AIDS in our region to the people of our region, if that wasnt feat enough the days events were after night before ! as +me were at the National DRAG4U event at Barnsley Metrodome where the +me team stood along with THT to fundraise and assist with the Event, it was a great night as the pictures suggest!

+ME @ The Core of Barnsley

+me

The Core

County Way

Barnsley

South Yorkshire

S70 2JW

Telephone Office

01226 320148

Helpline 7pm -10pm

Sunday & Thursday

07542442547

www.plusme.org

The Core
Managed, designed and here because of Voluntary action Barnsley, The Core , is much , much more than a swanky new base for VAB, its purpose is clear and simple…..To meet the needs of Barnsley’s third sector, run by a charity for charities, providing affordable and accessible facilities and resources for voluntary and community organisations based in or working in the area.
The aim is to create a space where people can share the benefits of working together with like minded people and organisations., aiming at providing the best possible environment for the voluntary sector to work, network and socialise.
The building is compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act including a lift that gives access even in the event of a fire, an excellent example of how a modern building should cater for visitors and staff regardless of their level of mobility.
The Core houses a range of fully cabled meeting rooms with capacity for up to 40 people, seminar rooms, telephone and video conferencing, colour printers. Photocopiers, networking, broadband and internet access, pool laptops and data projectors, All this and the new Bus and rail terminus is on the doorstep too.
We are truly excited about opening up our new service to the residents of Barnsley in Barnsley’s newest and most vibrant workplace
- We are confident you join us in thinking we have a winning combination!
A full brochure of the core can be viewed by typing this address into your search bar of your web browser
http//www.vabarnsley.org.uk/pdf/thecore_brochure.pdf

Funding? Premises? Charitable stauts? Check!!!!

What a great start we have had and what a fantastic response +me has received from everyone from our town , We are delighted to report that our Vice Chair and Treasurer Karl Cooper , was able last month to report to the +me board of Volunteers that he had received official notification of secured funding from Barnsley PCT to provide help , support and one to one sessions to the people in and around Barnsley whose lives are affected by or who are living with HIV. We, the board at +me have also met with solicitors to discuss and agree to move +me onwards and upwards and begin the process to register us as an official charity therefore enabling us to resource additional funding to ensure that +me is absolutely secure as Barnsley’s first choice support service for HIV/ AIDS.
We are resolute in our mission to be a professional yet small, client led organisation ran by and for the people of Barnsley living with and affected by HIV, we are not replacing alternative local services we are bridging the gap in services provided in Manchester, Sheffield and Leeds, because Barnsley counts!
We are here to stay and we are here to help, and it will be a great pleasure to serve our community with our experience, knowledge , professionalism and of course locality!.