Body & Soul has been pioneering in establishing services that are sensitive and appropriate to every age group. The BaSe group corresponds to the ages where young people are likely to learn about HIV and its place in their lives. Within the main Tuesday BaSe group, HIV is not openly mentioned even though all the sessions provide the experience to prepare young people for the current and future challenges in their lives.
For the BaSe members who have an awareness of HIV, there needs to a place where they can develop their understanding, ask the questions they need answered and explore ways to develop a perspective that allows them to live their lives with confidence.
Having the knowledge of HIV without anyone there for you can be a very lonely place. All those questions and thoughts that anyone would have can feel like a
huge weight. The last Thursday of every month provides a programme tailor-made to the needs of this group, a time when that weight can be shared in an atmosphere of trust and understanding.
Many of the programmes use creative projects as a way to have fun while providing opportunities for learning basic information on HIV as well as social and emotional development. For many of the group, the involvement of young people from Teen Spirit makes the transition to the youth service a really natural step and one they are fully prepared for when they reach the age of 13.
If your child knows how HIV affects them or a family member and you would like them to attend the monthly BaSe Aware group, contact Nimisha at Body & Soul on 0207 923 6880 or email nimisha@bodyandsoulcharity.org
