CARA - Central Africa’s Rights and AIDS Society’s Services

HIV/AIDS Services

Who we are:
CARA (Charity No. 1135610) is an independent international voluntary agency with charitable status, set up in 2003 by a small group committed to easing the problems experienced by people who are HIV positive. It offers open door advice sessions, specialist advice on health issues such as HIV/AIDS pandemic, STDs, use of condoms, healthy eating, etc.

We support people who are HIV positive and living with AIDS including families, partners, friends, carers and anyone who has concerns about HIV/AIDS.

Our Mission:
CARA is committed to providing a unique service to the community through the provision of a high quality service to those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS ensuring individual confidentiality is respected at all times.

Confidentiality:
We treat all contacts with the strictest confidentiality. No information is ever disclosed outside CARA unless the individual has expressly given permission.

Training
CARA provides training for teachers, employers, social workers, foster carers, people living with HIV/AIDS, healthcare professionals, carers and others who have a personal or professional interest in this area.

Befriending
Our trained volunteers offer a befriending service for anyone living with HIV who needs support. A befriender can be there for you whenever you feel the need for extra support or if you just want someone to talk to who will be friendly, understanding and sympathetic.

Outreach
Our outreach work involves dealing with people in the community who may be at risk of HIV and providing education, advice and support. This service is often delivered in pubs, clubs and other community settings. Our sevices include:
* Support and advice;
* Safer sex information;
* Distribution of free condoms and lube;
* Referrals to other sources of support;
* Gay Outreach Social Meetings

Family Support
Our Family Support Project offers practical and social support to children and families who are infected or affected by HIV/AIDS, and helps to develop social support networks among them.

We offer practical help with transport to school and medical appointments and also help looking after children when parents are ill.

We can also help with filling in forms and applications, and provide information on other services that may be of assistance. There is a programme of events and social activities for children and families, and we can also provide financial assistance to those who are experiencing hardship.

Male Abuse Recovery Service (CARA's MARS)
CARA provides a confidential counseling, support and information for males who have experienced rape or sexual abuse at any time in their lives. Anyone can use CARA's MARS whether you have been the victim of a recent sexual attack, or experienced sexual abuse many years ago. Our services are available free of charge, (small donation requested for counseling), and whether or not the attack has been reported to the police.

You can contact CARA's MARS by telephone during normal office hours or via our dedicated helpline, which is open every Tuesday from 1pm to 6pm.

CARA’s MARS Helpline: +44 (0) 844 478 0015 - Mob: +44 (0) 795 695 2645 - Fax: +44 (0) 872 115 8436 - Email: info@cara-online.org.

Contact Group
CARA has Contact Group bringing together local young people in a safe and friendly environment, where they can be themselves, meet other young people and - most of all - have fun!

Asylum Seekers & Refugees
Our Interactions Project aims to raise health awareness within the asylum seeker communities by training members of these communities to deliver talks and workshops. Training covers sexual health, drugs and alcohol awareness, smoking cessation and how to access health services.

Lingala, French, Swahili and Portuguese Outreach
Most of our services can be delivered with provision for Lingala, French, Swahili, Portuguese-speaking participants. We also offer a dedicated Lingala, French, Swahili, Portuguese outreach service.

CareAID
CARA shall make provisions of the CareAID fund that shall provide financial support for HIV+ people in need where funding is not available from other statutory sources. Financial support shall be available to those experiencing hardship or financial difficulty in the local community.

Professional Support:
CARA aims to provide a flexible service by employing a qualified Social Worker, Service Manager and Clerical Assistant who work in partnership with trained volunteers. This enables CARA to provide a broad spectrum of services and a wide range of expertise.

To contact our Social Worker directly phone +44 (0) 844 478 0015 - Mob: +44 (0) 795 695 2645 - Fax: +44 (0) 872 115 8436 - Email: info@cara-online.org.

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