Gareth Gates is a patron of Body and Soul and we want to do our bit to help too.  We have produced audio CDs of Gareth's Pop Idol and Acoustic performances, as well as tracks from his Live at Wembly DVD and B-sides.  More recently we've produced a further two data CDs crammed with some of the best Gareth Gates video and audio clips from all around the world.  For more information check out the details here.  As ever, all profits go to Body and Soul, which is over £1,500 to date.  Read the accounts here. Read reviews of the CDs on the message boards. Read a report about Gareth's visit to Body & Soul  Watch the video clip from Comic Relief, March 2002 .

BODY & SOUL leaflet

BODY & SOUL is unique    BODY & SOUL is a unique UK charity; supporting children, teenagers, women and heterosexual men and their families living with, or closely affected by HIV/AIDS.  BODY & SOUL’s holistic approach encompasses both peer and professional support and information and information, enabling people to face the challenges of HIV/AIDS   “As a team, we are very much aware of the many benefits, particularly with regards to the social and psychological support our families gain from BODY & SOUL.  Often, HIV families exist within a sphere of isolation, both from friends and relatives; many have found it difficult to cope without your support.” Great Ormond Street Hospital HIV Family Team   “When I was 15, my HIV status was disclosed to me.  From then on I became, Lynn Hill HIV+.  My life flashed before my eyes, straight away I thought I was going to die.  My head was filled with great fear.                                                    Fear of being misunderstood                                     Fear of rejection                                 Fear of loneliness                             Fear of helplessness                         And fear of death   Through BODY & SOUL and TEENSPIRIT my fear of being misunderstood was exchanged for knowledge and understanding; my fear of rejection was swapped for acknowledgement and acceptance; my fear of loneliness was replaced by companionship, support and love; my fear of helplessness for inspiration, courage, faith and hope; my fear of death was no longer in me because I felt alive.   BODY & SOUL and TEENSPIRIT have helped me not to see my illness as a barrier to life or to achievements, but to see it as a hurdle which in time you can overcome, through knowledge, treatments, a healthy lifestyle and the most important ingredient of all – that of support, love determination and faith.   Without BODY & SOUL I would not be here”     The journey Structured support sessions provide a safe environment where clients can meet others affected by HIV/AIDS and exchange vital support and information.  Accessing peer support and BODY & SOUL’s comprehensive Information/Advocacy service is often the start of a journey to change the devastation of an HIV diagnosis into positive strategies to manage the impact HIV/AIDS has on a client’s welfare, physical and emotional health.   Emotional needs are met through peer support, one of one support and counselling.  Physical needs are met through the provision of holistic health services (one to one health/treatment information, workshops and complementary therapies).  Social and welfare needs are met through the Information/Advocacy service alongside casework and the life skills workshops.   Children, teenagers and adults have the opportunity to build up knowledge, skills, confidence and self-esteem that assists in coping with HIV.   “I was so moved by my visit to the BODY & SOUL charity early this year that I feel quite passionately about it.  Hopefully through my involvement, I can help raise awareness nation-wide to provide them with the support they need.  Their sheer courage and determination amazed me and I am honoured to become their patron and offer them my long-term support” Gareth Gates November 2003       It is a tragedy that in 2004, every six seconds someone is affected with HIV.   Here in the UK there is an estimated 50,000 diagnosed HIV+.  In the last four years, the largest group of newly diagnosed people has been attributed to heterosexual sex.   Like many issues in life, we somehow believe we are infallible, but HIV is something that affects everyone.   One of the most devastating things to have to deal with as someone living with the virus is the prejudice and ignorance that surrounds HIV/AIDS.  It is completely illogical to think that because someone has a virus in ones blood, that the wider population feels justified to treat that person with fear, anger and inhumanity.   This put within the context that 80% of people newly diagnosed contemplate suicide, it is little wonder that people are forced to live in isolation.   There is still no cure.   Treatment has progressed immensely over the last ten years, but for some treatment has not been the solution to keeping HIV in check.   20 years on into this epidemic, prejudice is rife.  This has major consequences for people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS-isolation, depression anxiety, low self-esteem, bullying, inability to adhere to complex treatment regimes, poverty to name but a few of the human costs of HIV.    “Be the change you wish to see in the world”      Gandhi