For almost 30 years, HIV/AIDS has caused illness and deaths across the world, particularly in Africa. Transmission is through blood and sexual fluids.

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) gives rise to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). AIDS reduces the body’s cellular immunity. This lowers a person’s resistance to disease and infection. Although the HIV virus may take a long time to develop into AIDS, when it does the result is usually fatal.

The Make a Difference Trust

The aim of the Make A Difference Trust is to improve the lives of those who have HIV and AIDS. The Trust’s intention is to alleviate poverty, support care programmes and educate people about HIV/AIDS.

UK charities that work with people who have HIV/AIDS can apply for grants. Applicants’ projects must meet one or more of the Trust’s criteria:

  • Projects concerned with HIV and mental health
  • Projects that train and educate people about HIV/AIDS
  • Projects that give money to people who are suffering financially because of HIV/AIDS
  • Projects that support highly active retroviral treatments (HARTs)
  • Projects that work with orphans and children who are vulnerable because of HIV/AIDS

Children With AIDS Charity

The Children With AIDS Charity helps families that are trying to cope with HIV/AIDS. To this end, the charity has a hardship fund. Families can apply for grants that come from a monthly pot of £12,000. The average grant is about £150.

The grants are for practical everyday purchases. These include children’s clothing, uniforms and bedding. Grants can also help towards the costs of childcare and a new baby.

A family can only apply for a grant through a third party. This third party must be working with them. Health professionals and social workers are examples of those who apply for the grants.

Elton John AIDS Foundation

The UK’s largest independent provider of HIV/AIDS project funding is the Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF).

Among other initiatives, EJAF has a hardship fund for adults and children. The fund awards emergency grants to HIV/AIDS sufferers. The total amount EJAF has awarded to date is almost £15 million.

The grants assist people with HIV/AIDS across the UK. EJAF also helps marginalised people gain access to services that can improve the quality of their lives. Such people include asylums seekers, refugees, gay and bisexual youth, male sex workers, and minority ethnic groups.

Crusaid

The aim of Crusaid is to help HIV/AIDS sufferers put poverty behind them and lead better quality lives.

Crusaid’s hardship fund has two grant types. The first provides money to welfare groups and health professionals. These use the money to alleviate the poverty of those who have HIV/AIDS.

The second grant type supports professionals who are studying how grants can solve the causes of this poverty.

The grants cover practical items such as fridges and washing machines. There is also money for respite care for children. This is payable when a parent or carer has to go into hospital.

A social worker makes a needs-based assessment of each grant application. Applicants should therefore have full details of the people they wish to assist.