TVPS History

At the beginning of 2003 Thames Valley Positive Support celebrates 19 years serving the local community, from its early beginning as West Berkshire AIDS Support Group (formerly Reading Area AIDS Support Group), Thames Valley Body Positive (formerly Reading Body Positive) and the AIDS Support Group (Slough/Windsor). Coming together in 1994 to form what is now known as Thames Valley Positive Support. We plot the historical background to HIV prior to the emergence of these groups.

In the late 1970s, certain rare types of cancer and a variety of serious infections were recognised to be occurring in increasing numbers of previously healthy persons. Strikingly, these were disorders that would hardly ever threaten persons with normally functioning immune systems. First formally described in 1981, the syndrome was observed predominantly to be affecting homosexual and bisexual men. Soon thereafter, intravenous drug users, haemophiliacs, and recipients of blood transfusions were recognised as being at increased risk for disease as well. It was also noted that sexual partners of persons displaying the syndrome could contract the disease.

Further study of AIDS patients revealed marked depletion of certain white blood cells, called T4 lymphocytes. These cells played a crucial role in orchestrating the body's immune defences against invading organisms. It was presumed that this defect in AIDS patients was acquired in a common manner. Then, in 1983 a T-celllymphotropic virus was separately discovered by Robert Gallo at the U. S. National Institutes of Health and Luc Montagnier at France's Pasteur Institute. The virus was at first given various names: human Iymphotropic virus (HTLV) 111, Iymphadenopathy-associated virus (LAV), and AlDS-associated retrovirus (ARV). It is now officially called human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and the evidence demonstrates that it is indeed the causative agent for AIDS.

Several other strains have now been identified, HIV-2, is thus far relatively rare outside of Africa. Little is known about the biological and geographical origins of HIV. Apparently, however, this is the first time in modem history that the virus has spread widely among human beings. Related viruses have been observed in animal populations, such as Monkeys (SIV), Horses (EIV), Cattle (BIV) and Cats (FIV) but these do not produce disease in humans.
Our history gives a year by year account, on how the events, and people in the Thames Valley area developed their answer, to combat the many hardships and stigmas felt by those infected and affected by this new and growing problem.

• 1985-1988
• 1989-1994
• 1995-1997
• 1998-2000
• 2001-2006

 

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1985 Most doctors assume that less than one in ten people with an HIV diagnosis will progress to AIDS. The Department of Health introduces measures to forcibly detain people with AIDS and a person in Manchester is held under them. Many Haemophiliacs are found to have HIV, infected by contaminated imported blood products. The famous American actor Rock Hudson dies. Body Positive, the first UK self-help group for people with HIV is founded in London. Reading Area AIDS Support is formed by a group of people living in the area and provides a telephone help line called AIDSLINE, Hardship funding and a Buddy (Befriender) Support Service. Reading Area AIDS Support is formed by a group of people living in the area and provides a telephone help line called AIDSLINE, Hardship funding and Buddy services. 1986 AIDS is discussed in Parliament for the first time when forming the Cabinet Committee on AIDS and later to become The All Party Parliamentary Group on AIDS. The British Government launches its first major advertising campaign about AIDS in the guise of the now famous ‘Iceberg’ advert, attempting to show that only the tip of the iceberg shows itself. Doctors in Edinburgh show high rates of HIV infection amongst the city's drug injecting population. Proving a growing problem there. US Government proposes immigration controls on people with HIV entering the country which still applies today, many going on holiday to the USA still forward their HIV related drugs to friends and support groups prior to their visit. 1987 The Football Association warns players not to use communal baths or to swap shirts at the end of a game. Reading Area AIDS Support, later to become West Berkshire AIDS Support Group, considers the need for a Body Positive self-help group for HIV-positive people in the area, enabling them to meet in a confidential setting for peer support. The AIDS Support Group (Slough/Windsor) is established by people living in the area, and provides a Telephone Helpline, Hardship funding and a Buddy (Befriender) Support Service based at a rented room within the training facility at Upton Hospital based in Slough. Positively Women and The National AIDS Trust is set up. A National Network of Voluntary Organisations in AIDS/HIV (NOVOAH) first came into being. The British Government launches its "Don't ~ Die of Ignorance" Campaign with the giant 'Tombstone' and a leaflet delivered to every home. Wellcome launch AZT as the first specific drug to combat HIV. 1988 The World Health Organisation estimates that ten million people worldwide are infected with HIV. The First World AIDS Day is organised Reading Body Positive is officially launched by Reading Area AIDS Support Group in January by two volunteers, Mary and Caroline with four HIV Positive Clients, meeting in a volunteers house, of those original members. Sadly, only one survives today. Reading Body Positive changes its name to Thames Valley Body Positive. Thames Valley Body Positive rents a meeting room at ‘Space’, a Youth and Homeless Voluntary organisation based in Slough, and is able to provide a Telephone Helpline staffed by Positive people once a week. The group is also able to provide extended peer support, and guest speakers regarding Complementary Therapies. AIDS Support Group (Slough/Windsor) jointly wins ‘Maria Cowland Award’ for services to the community. The AIDS Support Group (Slough/Windsor) introduces an Annual Memorial Event now known as "The Celebration of Life". The Sexual Health Clinic based at Windsor established at King Edward VII hospital in 1940 moves to Upton Hospital Slough. First full-time HIV Consultant based at Upton Hospital Clinic. NOVOAH elects an Executive Committee. London Lighthouse opens and Princess Diana opens the London Kobler Centre for HIV. British insurers call for HIV tests for all men seeking policy cover of more than £50,000. Back to top of page

Rock hudson Government Campaign W.H.O.

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1989 David Mellor announces significant funding for several AIDS Charities, including THT, London Lighthouse, London BP and the Landmark. ACT UP in London is formed. Thames Valley Body Positive moves to permanent premises and opens up ‘Drop-In’ facilities and Complementary Therapy Services, Mary the original volunteer founder member is contracted to work in the office. Thames Valley Body Positive employs first Development Director, Richard, later to become Project Manager. Also employing a part-time member of staff Angela, previously Chair of ASG (Slough/Windsor). Thames Valley Body Positive changes its corporate image and logo. The first official bi-Monthly newsletter format for the local area is produced by Thames Valley Body Positive called ‘EXCESS’, which had a circulation of 300 copies. TVBP starts the process of becoming a registered charity, and introduces a specialised support group ‘Thames Valley Family and Partners Support Group’, specifically supporting those caring for Positive people. The Network ASG (Slough/Windsor) introduces a Summer Garden Party Event, that still continues today. A local Area ‘Network’ comprising of Thames Valley Body Positive, Reading Area AIDS Support Group, AIDS Support Group (Slough/Windsor), Thames Valley Family and Partner Support Group and ChilternAIDS is considered. Enabling joint advertising of services available throughout Berkshire. ASG (Slough/Windsor) are relocated to temporary accommodation, as their original facility becomes a nursery and crèche, and there are fears surrounding the health safety of the children using the same premises. Thames Valley Positive Support joins a national network of Body Positive Groups that is now known as The Network of Self-Help HIV and AIDS Groups. 1990 The British Government sets up a compensation scheme for Haemophiliacs infected through blood supplies. Thames Valley Body Positive sets up training and talks to other local Statutory and Voluntary Agencies by Positive members, focusing on what is like to live with HIV. The Thames Valley AIDS Network (TVAN) is officially launched on 1st September. The AIDS Support Group (Slough/Windsor) becomes a registered charity. Reading Area AIDS Support Group appoints paid Administrator Lynette. East Enders introduces AIDS Storyline with input from a female positive member of Thames Valley Body Positive. First major news feature, Angela interviewed by Slough/Windsor Observer on women’s issues for World AIDS Day. Delegates boycott the World AIDS Day Conference in San Francisco because of the US immigration restrictions on people with HIV. 1991 The Mayors of Windsor and Slough attend renamed Celebration of Life memorial service. Freddie Mercury the lead singer with the rock group Queen, confirmed that he had AIDS, and just the day after it was announced that he had died. Red ribbon became an international symbol of AIDS awareness during 1991. The organisation Visual AIDS in New York, together with Broadway Cares, and Equity Fights AIDS, established the wearing of a Red Ribbon as something that signified support for people living with HIV/AIDS. The estimated global distribution of HIV and AIDS varied from 5 to 7 million men and from 3 to 5 million women that had been infected with HIV. Of these 9-11 million HIV-infected adults, nearly 1.5 million were estimated to have progressed to AIDS. 1992 Benetton launch their sweater campaign of a man with AIDS on his deathbed in an attempt to sell their products. Thames Valley Body Positive establishes a Hardship fund in January. Upton Hospital 'Laurels' Clinic moves to new and larger premises within the hospital grounds changing its name to the 'Garden Clinic'. Thames Valley Body Positive move to what is now known as the Burnham Support Centre. The AIDS Support Group (Slough/Windsor) join the new Crusaid ‘Walk for Life’ initiative. Thames Valley Body Positive newsletter took on another guise as ‘1433 News’ named after the new P.O Box number of their new premises. The AIDS Support Group (Slough/Windsor) relocate to a large premise within Upton Hospital based in Slough, with an office and additional room later to become ‘The Hut’. They also employ first paid worker Janet. 1993 The Concorde drugs trial proves that there is no appreciable benefit in giving people AZT before they fall ill. Reading Area AIDS Support Group changes its name to West Berkshire AIDS Support Group, splintering into two separate groups with the other becoming Buddies based in Wokingham, Buddies returned to Reading after the mergers in 1994. First serious discussions within TVAN regarding a merger of its members, ChilternAIDS decides it does not want to merge. HIV cases double in local area. Benetton launch another advert, this time showing parts of people's bodies branded with the letters HIV. The World Health Organisation estimates over 15 million adults are infected with HIV. 1994 Newly merged Berkshire based group, TVPS becomes the first Body Positive and AIDS Service provider in the UK Thames Valley Body Positive, the AIDS Support Group (Slough/Windsor) and West Berkshire AIDS Support Group merge to form what is now known today as Thames Valley Positive Support. The mergers of the groups into TVPS launches officially on 7th February, with West Berkshire AIDS Support Group becoming part of TVPS by 1st April. Janet from the AIDS Support Group (Slough/Windsor) joins the Burnham based centre of operations. This period is a testing time for the newly formed organisation, as Thames Valley Body Positive was originally a client led organisation. Many months of hard work in bringing the self empowered Positive membership of Thames Valley Body Positive, and the volunteer forces of both AIDS Support Groups to trust one another. Which is slowly achieved by Richard, the staff and the new steering committee. The first Annual General Meeting of TVPS is held in the April, with the election of a new board of Trustees, and the official adoption of the original Thames Valley Body Positive Constitution. Richard and a female HIV-positive member are funded by Berkshire Social Services to attend the Tenth International HIV/AIDS Conference in Yokohama, Japan. TVPS officially launches its extensive programme of Complementary Therapies. Back to top of page	Excess The Network Body Positive Freddie Mercury

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1995 TVPS holds first major conference ‘Face Death and Live Now’ at East Hampstead Park, Bracknell in March. TVPS holds first major conference ‘Face Death and Live Now’ at East Hampstead Park, Bracknell in March. Richard, as Project Manager leaves TVPS to pursue a career in Social Services. Support Groups within TVPS for Women and Gay men are officially established. TVPS appoints Louise as General Manager, who previously worked at Patrick House (part of St. Mungo’s Trust), a residential home for people with AIDS related dementia. TVPS attends July Gay Pride with a Charity fundraiser ‘Pig Roast’, sadly losing money on a poorly organised event. Official Whispers newsletter is officially launched on 1st August. Radio and TV Star, Kenny Everett sadly dies on 4th April from an AIDS related condition. New Drop-In facility starts on 2nd August at the old AIDS Support Group (Slough/Windsor) premises based at Upton Hospital. Dolly Tovelopeski joins Official Whispers newsletter as a popular, but somewhat controversial fictitious Agony Aunt. Original AIDS Support Group (Slough/Windsor) Annual memorial ‘Celebration of Life’ successfully pilots a new audiovisual concept. Official Whispers front cover is redesigned to follow a new, now familiar format. TVPS launches new revised Hardship Fund ‘Peace of Mind’. Upton Hospital based Drop-In is renamed in competition ‘The Hut’. First break-in at the Burnham Support Centre with Video Recorder, CD player stolen. 1996 February sees a new group ‘Berkshire Positive’ set-up in Reading by a group of dissatisfied TVPS members. New Amigo Befriender Support set-up to replace the Thames Valley Family and Partners Support Group, to extend the services available and give ‘Buddy’ Support to family, partners caring for HIV Positive people. TVPS Publications launches with new range of information booklets. New multi-agency Drop-In facilities called ‘Confidentially Coffee’ to compliment the Burnham Support Centre facilities are set up in Newbury, Wokingham Reading based Drop-In is renamed ‘At the Tea Bag’. New Drop-In ‘SHIVers Coffee Shop’ is set up at the Upton ‘Hut’ facilities a joint venture with Berkshire Positive and the Garden Clinic. A Support Group for male members of TVPS is established. An increase of Complementary Therapies available ‘free of charge’ to Clients of TVPS (24 in total). TVPS External and Internal training expanded. TVPS officially launches Complementary Therapies at new Reading based premises in July. TVPS writes to Diana, Princess of Wales asking her to become a Patron. Sadly she declines, but allows us to include her on our newsletter mailing list. TVPS launches new TVPS Client Welfare Office, to bring together all frontline services, such as; TVPS Buddy/Amigo Befriender Scheme and the Peace of Mind Hardship fund and Welfare Rights Advice and Advocacy. NATIONAL LONG TERM SURVIVORS GROUP TVPS sponsors clients to attend the National Long Term Survivors weekends. Berkshire Positive closes in June, many of its members rejoin TVPS. Official Whispers celebrates its first year on 1st August. TVPS volunteer Glenda nominated for ‘Woman of the Year’ in the Windsor/Slough Express. Official Whispers Newsletter increases distribution and goes nationwide. October, TVPS jointly organises the successful ‘Taking Control’ Conference at Bournemouth along with the Network of Self-Help HIV and AIDS Groups, and other locally based self-help groups. Bracknell based Drugs Company that produces viramune® (nevirapine), an anti-HIV drug in a family of drugs known as non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), Boehringer Ingelheim sponsors October issue of Official Whispers. TVPS facilitates nationwide training programme on HIV awareness for ‘Guide Dogs for the Blind’. Buddies officially opens new premises in Reading. TVPS supplies therapists for the National Long Term Survivors Weekends. Basingstoke AIDS Support Group opens in August. TVPS Publications produces one-off newsletter for the Network of Self-Help HIV and AIDS Groups. Wokingham Drop-In Centre closes. Part-time workers Angela and Janet leave TVPS. TVPS involved in local World AIDS Day initiative ‘Sexpressions’ held at South Hill Park, Bracknell. Using the Arts to express views on HIV. Natalie who joined as a volunteer in August 1995 joins TVPS as ‘Community and Centre based Co-ordinator’ a full-time assistant to the General Manager. Diana. Princess of Wales resigns her patronage of a number of Charities. Viral Load testing become available at the Reading/Slough based clinics. Garden Clinic offers personal fitness training and ‘Body Stat 1500’ recording all aspects of body composition to clients. 1997 The Football Association warns players not to use communal baths or to swap shirts at the end of a game. TVPS Celebrates 12 years. Second break-in at the Burnham Support Centre, stealing Colour TV, Video and Computer equipment. TVPS goes on-line with e-mail facilities. The first meeting of a new local networking strategy called ‘The Thames Valley AIDS Network Alliance’ with Buddies, Raft, AVVA, ChilternAIDS and Basingstoke AIDS Support Group later known as Basingstoke and North Hants AIDS Support Group. Positive member of TVPS raises money at the London Marathon. TVPS successfully launch South East regional project, by producing Official Whispers newsletter variations for Kent Body Positive and Mid-Sussex Body Positive. Exclusive article praising TVPS appears in the national publication ‘Positive Nation’ (Special tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales edition). Joint venture ‘Confidentially Coffee’ Drop-In set-up with Basingstoke and Northants AIDS Support Group. TVPS Publications produces one-off special edition of Official Whispers for the National Long Term Survivors Group. General Manager Louise leaves TVPS. The beginning of two turbulent years in the history and fortunes of TVPS. TVPS employs new member of Staff Wyl on 8th September as Development and Fundraising Officer. Boehringer Ingelheim and Abbots sponsor TVPS Delegate to attend the 8th International PWA Conference in Thailand. Cutbacks to services proposed due to underestimated funding bids for 1997/1998. Extra-ordinary meeting held on 11th December by TVPS members, in the light of serious managerial concerns and the future of TVPS. AIDS liaison nurse Iggy leaves the Upton Hospital based Garden Clinic. The World Health Organisation estimates over 22 million adults are infected with HIV. UK HIV/AIDS reported cases exceed 28,000. Diana Princess of Wales dies in Paris car crash on 31st August. National Petition set-up by Bournemouth Body Positive now known as Dorset Body Positive to establish a Health Care Policy for Positive people. DSS Benefit Integrity Project for Disability Living Allowance Benefits review introduced. Back to top of page	Kenny Everett Whispers Dolly Tovelopeski Boehringer Inglheim

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1998 TVPS Annual Respite Weekend at Storrington. Two members of TVPS become Trustees of the National Long Term Survivors Group. Development and Fundraising Officer position redefined, Wyl made redundant on 21st January. First TVPS Annual Respite Weekend at Storrington. Two members of TVPS become Trustees of the National Long Term Survivors Group. TVPS are represented at the ‘All Party Parliamentary Group on AIDS’. TVPS Website muted. Monthly membership meetings reinstated at the YWCA at Windsor. Last ever issue of Official Whispers produced for Thames Valley Positive Support and regional groups Kent Body Positive and Mid-Sussex Body Positive in August. Gill who joined as a volunteer in March 1998 employed by TVPS as a full-time administrative assistant in September. Buddies a group based in Reading closes. TVPS wins ‘Maria Cowland Award’ for second time. Celebration of Life Annual event postponed. DSS Benefit Integrity Project for the special Disability Living Allowance Benefits is prematurely halted by the government. 1999 TVPS management pulls out of Network of Self-Help HIV and AIDS Groups membership. Natalie promoted to General Manager. Client Welfare Office offering Welfare Rights and the regular TVPS Training programme disbanded. Regular formatted newsletter and TVPS Publications production halted until the introduction of ‘News @ TVPS’ in January 2000. TVPS Burnham Support Centre redecorated. Natalie resigns as General Manager. TVPS appoints Anthony as a new General Manager. TVPS corporate image and logo changes proposed. A TVPS Membership Forum ‘The Way Forward’ is proposed for early 2000 in the light of the previous two year difficulty in providing a full and extensive service provision. Although the later part of 1997 through until 1999 proved to be a turbulent time in the fortunes of TVPS, the group was to learn upon this and go from strength to strength into the new millennium. 2000 Core funding for Complementary Therapies ceases from the local Health Authority. Membership Forum ‘The Way Forward’ held at Woodrow High House, Amersham. TVPS investigate in becoming a limited Company. TVPS Publications is re-launched, and adopts new image and produces newly designed information leaflets, booklets and promotion posters with a new logo. Refurbishment of the Centre and proposals for new garden designs carried out by members. Reading Drop-In facility closes until re-launch in June. ChilternAIDS closes presenting an opportunity to expand services into Greater Buckinghamshire. Dr Stephen Dawson (Consultant in HIV based at Upton Hospital), Lorraine Kelly (GMTV Presenter) and Fiona MacTaggart (Slough MP) agree to become Patrons. Networking links established with HART a group in Hillingdon, and The Crescent Support Group based in St. Albans. TVPS launches new Client Welfare Services Team. The Peace of Mind Hardship Fund is revised. TVPS re-joins the Network. TVPS Training Scheme re-introduced. TVPS attends 1st July Mardi Gras with a large information stand. Anthony promoted to Director and Gill is promoted to Centre Co-ordinator. TVPS Training Group sets up Speakers Forum with London Body Positive Speakers, after the closure of the London based group. First TVPS Website. First TVPS Conference held at Woodrow High House in October. Investigations into employing a Community Services Worker to head TVPS Client Welfare Services, and possibility of an Ethnic worker in the light of a increased number of Afro-Carribean members. Links made with the Assist Project, QXL on-line auctions, Thames Valley University and the Body Shop. Dr Alan Tang (Consultant in HIV based at the Florey Unit, Royal Berkshire Hospital) agrees to become fourth Patron. New Volunteer recruitment and training implemented. Clients accessing TVPS increase by 64% compared to 1999. News @ TVPS newsletter is redesigned. Celebration of Life re-instated with audiovisual contribution by Patrons Lorraine Kelly and Dr. Stephen Dawson. Back to top of page

Whispers Dr Stephen Dawson Lorraine Kally Fiona mactaggart Dr Alan Tang

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2001 TVPS presented with an award in recognition of services to the community by a London based Newspaper (London Jobs Today). Refurbishment of the Burnham Support Centre and Gardens. Successful Celebrity Auction of 74 items with QXL On-line. The employment of TVPS Community Services Worker and Ethnic Worker is re-evaluated, and postponed. The Director disbands TVPS Speakers Forum. Newsletter is re-launched as ‘@TVPS’ in September. TVPS investigates the possibility of becoming a Charitable Trust. Transmitted resistance of HIV drugs on the rise in the UK. New Volunteer recruitment strategy implemented. Government outlines new Sexual Health Strategy. The W.H.O estimates over 45 million adults are infected with HIV. Boehringer Ingleheim is the first locally based Drug Company to offer free HIV drugs to South Africa. For second year TVPS Conference held at Amersham. Ring fencing of HIV treatment budget ends. New TVPS Drop-In and Reading Branch office opens. TVPS attends new ‘Sexual Health Strategy’ Conference. Director joins the Network board of Directors. Funding cuts to Complementary Therapy budget forces TVPS to make a £3 charge for Complementary Therapies to clients. Social Services impose client contribution to respite. Successful fundraising Carnival Ball held at the Bell House Hotel, a joint venture with HART and Crescent Support Groups, with Patrons Fiona and Dr Tang attending. W.A.D street collections raise the most money ever, since its early beginnings in 1988. Celebration of Life audiovisual presentation returns to Windsor close to its original location when it first appeared in 1988. 2002 TVPS celebrates 18th Anniversary with four special editions of its newsletter ‘@ TVPS’, looking back at the history of TVPS. Thames Valley Positive Support saw the year 2001, its most successful year ever. Regular Art Therapy sessions re-introduced. TVPS hold successful New Year Party ‘Bash the Winter Blues’ for Clients and Volunteers. TVPS set-up new fundraising Web Shop initiative buy.at/tvps. TVPS implements a increased charge (£5) for Complementary Therapies in the light of core funding cutbacks made by the Health Authority funders in 2000. TVPS is no longer able to provide Acupuncture due to funding cutbacks. Director Anthony, leaves TVPS for similar position at Brighton Body Positive. Gill is promoted to General Manager. TVPS hold 3rd Conference at Woodrow High House in Amersham. TVPS Annual General Meeting and Celebration of Life is held jointly at the Conference. Buddy Co-ordinator Val leaves our hallowed shores for a round-the-World yacht race. New Trustees join TVPS Board of Trustees. New look Website established, with the @TVPS Newsletter available online in Acrobat PDF format, and a full colour interactive version. Recruitment process resumes for Afro-Caribbean Outreach Worker, in the light of additional funding from Slough Borough Council. World AIDS Day collections prove disappointing. Successful World AIDS Day joint venture with local Health Promotion unit, with a Afro-Caribbean theme. New criteria introduced by Crusaid regarding Respite. Health Authorities begin the change-over to Primary Care Trusts. 2003 TVPS bids for specific projects from alternative funding sources and charitable trusts. TVPS postpones the Annual Conference for 2003. Funding for a 2004 event to be investigated over the next few months. After the successful jointly held Carnival Ball at The Bell House Hotel in Beaconsfield in November 2001, a successful Spring Ball was held in April at the Burnham Beeches Hotel. This year's theme was ‘White Ties and Tiaras’. Concessions for those on low income were made available. Volunteering projects were held in early January/March. New Buddy Co-ordinator appointed. Afro-Caribbean representative and Positive Representative is also appointed to the TVPS Board of Trustees. Special ongoing articles appear in @TVPS - ‘Respite and Retreat – Recognising a Need’ commenced in February edition of @TVPS, detailing the limited specialised HIV respite and retreat facilities within the UK. Monthly reports on Val’s around-the-World yachting adventure appeared in @TVPS. The author of the TVPS ‘Monthly Poems’ has his poems officially published. TVPS begins offering Acupuncture once again within our range of Complementary Therapies available. Storrington Respite weekend is planned for the Summer. Annual TVPS Garden Party planned for the Summer. The Berkshire Primary Care Trust notifies TVPS that they are 'Unlikey to fund the charity for the year 2004/5. Sue, a social services placement commences working with TVPS for several months.The TVPS Peace of Mind Hardship Fund renamed in the memory of Terry, a long standing member and a founder of the fund. TVPS achieves record sponsorship for the Annual Crusaid - Walk for Life, with 22 members raising money for the Terry Tunnicliff Hardship Fund. In February AIDS in Africa is headline news on TV and within the News media, with a special supplement in the Guardian newspaper. The Bethany Trust (Bodmin), a well established and popular Respite and Retreat Centre for those living with HIV closes in November. 2004 TVPS campaigns on their concerns on the 'Unlikey funding' from the Berkshire PCT for the year 2004/5. Gill the TVPS General Manager notifies the Board of Trustees of her intention to retire at the end of April, and subsequently tenders her resignation. TVPS commences the recruitment process to replace Gill. TVPS' replacement for the position of General Manager, due to circumstances beyond their control was not able to take-up the post, and TVPS had to re-advertise the position which was eventually filled by Sarah in September 2004. Complementary Therapies once again offered free-of-charge. TVPS notified by all major funders apart from the Berkshire PCT that funding is secured for 2004/5. TVPS receives funding from THT to carry out a successful Ethic Minorities HIV Awareness Campaign, along with leaflets and posters and a charity football match held in Slough at the end of June. A number of additional funding applications are also successful. Chair of TVPS is appointed as (unpaid) acting General Manager until the General Manager post was appointed in the September. Clients were notified and reassured that TVPS during this transition period would maintain its service provision, and operate 'Business as usual". 2005 - 06 has seen further changes in the HIV Sector for the better and for the worse. TVPS strives to see the year 2005 as a new beginning to its experience, and re-growth along with Sarah Hutchings as our new General Manager for the years that lay ahead. 2005 also sees the opening of our new regional office and drop-in facilities based in Reading, covering the West of the county. It now seems apt at this present time for TVPS to seriously look back at its development and history and ensure it fulfills its role as a registered charity, that has made TVPS what it is today. TVPS is still, actively seeking additional funding for a number of projects, including sponsorship for TVPS Online and our TVPS Newsletter. In those difficult early days who could have believed that TVPS would play such an important part in changing attitudes to the needs of Positive people. Those early pioneers, would surely want those now living with HIV to continue that legacy, and lead a revived active role in maintaining some of those services that now seem to be slowly being chipped away. Many had a dream 19 years ago. We can only hope that their efforts were not in vain, and that we all strive to continue the services they fought for, and not allow the Government and others to dictate what they think is best for us, and therefore deny positive people a right for a quality of life. TVPS would like to take this opportunity to thank all those people that played a part in the fortunes of TVPS throughout its long and interesting history. What of the future… Back to top of page	QXL Online Auction TVPS Newsletter TVPS News New Format Val's Adventure