HIV/AIDS – IN BRISTOL??

Grandmas Bristol is a Christian charity offering support to families affected by HIV/AIDS in Bristol and surrounding areas. Sometimes people find it hard to believe that HIV/AIDS exists here on our doorstep. In the past 20 years HIV/AIDS has become an increasing issue in the UK. It is estimated that 50,000 people in Britain are living with HIV. In 2004 the number of people with this condition coming through Southmead Hospital in Bristol, was approximately 550 adults. In Grandmas-Bristol in the past month we have received 3 new enquiries about families seeking support.

A BRIEF HISTORY

Grandma’s started in London in 1989 with a vision to work with HIV/AIDS sufferers across the UK and internationally. In 1997 I spent a month with the team in London, and during this time I felt that God was calling me to work with families affected by this disease. Whilst studying at University I wondered if there might be a need for Grandmas in Bristol and during the time that I was a volunteer at the Ullswater Family Centre some 3 years later, I felt that God was asking me to help set up this work with the support of The George Müller Foundation. The work in Bristol commenced in October 2000.

 

It is incredible to see what God has done since then. For the first 2 years a group of us met every week to pray about the issue of HIV in this region. At the same time I was making contact with health professionals in Bristol and speaking at churches to raise awareness.

 

By 2002 Grandmas-Bristol had one volunteer (me) visiting 3 families. In May 2005 we have 27 volunteers! In September 2004 the full-time team doubled in number! Rachel Jones joined me and took on the volunteer work and the organisation of Sarah Rutere holiday outings for the children. We currently support 14 families and plan to have 3 more within the next few months.

 

Some of the families we support have experienced prejudice and rejection from close relatives and friends.

 

Many are isolated, lonely and fearful of what the future holds. The volunteer’s role is to practically demonstrate the love and hope of Jesus to the family. A volunteer spends 3 to 4 hours perweekor fortnight playing with the children.

 ‘BEING A VOLUNTEER’ BY AMY HARRISON

‘Well it’s not exactly what I expected! In manyways it’s a lot more fun and a lot less scary and emotionally harrowing than I thought it would be. I had certainly not expected to be any kind of amazing administering angel who swoops in and sorts out all my family’s problems. No, I have discovered that my role as a Grandmas’ volunteer generally revolves around making an awful lot of bright pink cakes, or hats, or puppets or whatever else I can manage to think up. Basically I now get to do all the stuff I love doing but can’t because I’m no longer 10 years old!

 

I sometimes wonder whether I’m really making a difference, whether I’m really doing anything  special, and in some ways I’m not – what I’m doing is very ordinary. But then I remember that the bright, bubbly little girl covered in flour opposite me has had to, and will have to, deal with more fear and uncertainty than I can even begin to imagine, and anything I can do to bring more fun and light into her life seems pretty special to me.

Prayer remains the foundation of this ministry. Laura Doulton co-ordinates the monthly prayer meetings in Bristol. If you would like to receive a prayer letter please contact us at Grandmas-Bristol,

 

PO BOX 2237 BS99 7FD; 0117 924 9070;
sarah.rutere@grandmas.org.uk;
rachel.jones@grandmas.org.uk

 

Sarah Rutere