*Edited 3rd June with some clarification from THT. See bottom.
Terrence Higgins Trust have launched a face-to-face service via it's THT Direct arm at Gray's Inn Road (THT HQ) from 2nd June 2008. It offers face to face advice on welfare benefits, housing, employment, immigration & debt.
It is unclear what times this service will operate.
You can see the press release here http://www.tht.org.uk/mediacentre/pressreleases/2008/june/june2.htm
Or the actual web page for the service here http://www.tht.org.uk/howwecanhelpyou/needhelpnow/thtdirect/facetoface/
Telephone number 0845 1221 200 10am to 10pm Mon-Fri, Midday to 6pm Sat & Sun.
I guess for us North of the river, this is better late than never. Though I cannot help but note that on the Disability Living Allowance they are still playing catch up.
If you use this service by all means let us know how you get on.
John.
I phoned and emailed THT to get clarification some of the points raised. Here is the result -
"The service is available to anyone who is able to travel to our office based at King's Cross, London. There are no restrictions based on where you live. However this particular service (as detailed in the press release) is aimed at people living with HIV.
Thanks to the Media centre for such a speedy response here. I understand that they will look at the website to add further clarity.
PDF version
Comments
HI JOHN
I MUST SAY HOW PLEASED I AM THAT I POSTED MY OPINION OF THT ON YOUR WEBSITE, I WAS UNABLE TO GET TO THE KVN MEETING IN QUESTION BUT I FEEL WE HAVE SOME WAY PUT PRESSURE ON AN ORGANISATION THAT WAS ORIGINALLY SET UP TO HELP PEOPLE WITH HIV IN A MULTI DISCIPLINARY WAY GET THEIR PRIORITIES RIGHT. THERE ARE VERY MANY OF US OUT THERE WHO ARE HAVING TO FACE THESE CHANGES ALONE, NOW AT LEAST WE WILL HAVE A SERVICE TO HELP US THROUGH THIS POLITICAL MINEFIELD.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE I HAVE EXPERIENCED EMPOWERMENT THROUGH MAKING MY OPINIONS KNOWN IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. NOW LET US SEE IF THT CAN DELIVER THE QUALITY OF SERVICE THEY USED TO WHEN THEY WERE SET UP MANY YEARS AGO AND CARRY ON FIGHTING FOR THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH HIV.
Yes it is a start and the KVN meeting was productive from the viewpoint that opinions were very forthcoming. I note however that one suggestion from a member of the forum. That THT should offer an ordinary phone number for accessing THT Direct has yet to be actioned. As he pointed out. Any number starting "08" will carry a cost. Most people now have phone call packages that would mean dialing a "0207" or "0208" number would be the cheapest option as it would be included in the package. Lets hope this is addressed soon.
Yes and we are watching what THT are doing.
John.
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