SERVICES IN BERMUDA
If you would like your organization listed here complete our Form for Local Organizations
The listings below are identified by the type of services offered to facilitate your search for information and assistance.
HIV/AIDS | FOOD & NUTRITION | MEDICATION | FINANCIAL AID/INSURANCE | PASTORAL | LEGAL | HOUSING | SUBSTANCE ABUSE | PHYSICAL ABUSE | CHILDREN & TEENS | FOR WOMEN | FOR GAY MEN | SEXUAL HEALTH FORUM
AGAPE HOUSE
7 Point Finger Road Devonshire DV 04 Tel: 239-2025 Fax: 232-2844
Email: sally@ibl.bm Website: http://www.agapehouse.bm/
Principal Contact: Deborah Chase Clinical Coordinator
Provides palliative care to the terminally ill; provides palliative counseling to patients family and significant others. Respite and Bereavement Committee including help with writing of wills.
HAMILTON HEALTH CENTRE
67 Victoria Street Hamilton HM 12 - Tel: 293-3542 Fax: 295-6800
Email: perhealth@ibl.bm
Principal Contact: Sue Pedro R.N.
Provides confidential testing for HIV antibody with pre- and post- test counseling. Provides resource information and referrals to other government and non-governmental agencies. Click for more information about the Hamilton Health Centre.
FRIENDS OF HOSPICE
7 Point Finger Road Devonshire DV 04 - Tel: 232-0859 Fax: 232-2844
Email: sally@ibl.bm Website: http://www.agapehouse.bm/
Principal Contact: Sally Irvine Volunteer Coordinator
"Friends of Hospice" is the fund-raising arm of Agape House. This group provides bereavement counseling assists people in writing wills and many other functions which support Agape House. For more information call Sally Irvine or log onto the Agape House web site.
NUTRITION SERVICES
67 Victoria Street Hamilton HM 12 - Tel: 239-3567
Principal Contact: Mellonie Furbert R.D.
Provides nutrition services and resources to the general public. See AVSF page on Food Safety for people with HIV.
All persons in Bermuda who have been diagnosed with HIV infection are entitled to quality medical care including the most advanced drugs available today to fight the impact of HIV on the body. The Department of Health & Family Services has combined efforts with other Government agencies and departments to ensure that no person is denied access to treatment. For more information contact your primary health- care provider or contact the Hamilton Health Centre (see above). Early detection of HIV and early treatment can provide an individual with the best defense against HIV progression.
For more information on HIV/AIDS drugs their usage and effectiveness clicking HERE will take you to the AVSF page on anti-retrovirals.
The cost of HIV medication can be astronomical for most people but most insurance companies in Bermuda provide coverage to some degree for people living with HIV if they are already a part of a group policy. Some restrictions and exclusions may apply and certain clauses and conditions may differ from each insurance provider to the next. For people who are employed and part of a group policy you may be required to pay a portion of the cost of medicines. Still for some these costs are extremely high. The Department of Health & Family Services have linked with Financial Services to assist those who may still have difficulty meeting these costs. Ask you health-care provider for more information regarding how you can receive assistance if you are having difficulty in meeting these costs.
Employers are expected to maintain confidentiality of employees' health records. Should you feel that your privacy is being violated or information which you have not personally disclosed has been shared without your permission do not hesitate to contact the Allan Vincent Smith Foundation (295-0002) to report your concerns or see the section below entitled LEGAL AID for people you may contact regarding your concerns.
Many people re-evaluate find great solace in prayer. There is no doubt that faith and prayer can change things - no matter what the situation. Regardless of your choice of religion or spiritual status the following persons are available for consultation prayer and guidance.
Rev. GRAEME CARRUTH - Tel: 238-1945 - Email: emmanuel@northrock.bm
Anyone who is in need of prayer or counseling can call Rev. Carruth from Tuesday through Saturday between the hours of 9:00 am and 9:00 pm. Emergency calls will be taken at any time. Counseling is non-judgmental and no discrimination is made on religious background or affiliation.
Rev. CANON ALAN TILSON - Tel: 293-1710 Fax: 293-4363 - Email: atilson@ibl.bm
S.T.A.R. - Tel: 292-5941
S.T.A.R. has a cadre of persons who can provide spiritual guidance prayer and support for any person infected or affected with HIV/AIDS. Call them directly to find out about support groups for loved ones of people living with HIV/AIDS. See HOUSING below with reference to the facility run by S.T.A.R. called The Lighthouse.
Worldwide the issue of Stigma and Discrimination with regards to HIV/AIDS are the focus of this year's campaigns. Bermuda being a small place has never openly addressed these issues for people living with HIV their families or loved ones. While there are certain laws and policies in place in Bermuda regarding HIV infection and transmission people with HIV and AIDS are still being discriminated against - in the workplace schools and community. If you feel that your rights are being violated in any way please call the Allan Vincent Smith Foundation or one of the persons listed below for advice or assistance. The Foundation can offer referrals to legal help but individuals listed may or may not require a fee for their services. Additionally women who experience problems of sexual or emotional abuse may contact the Women's Resource Centre (see below under PHYSICAL ABUSE) for assistance through the legal process.
PATRICIA RICHARDS - Tel: 295-5151 (ext 1617)
PETER MILLER - Tel: 295-5151 (ext 1653)
LIZ CHRISTOPHER - Tel: 295-6606 Fax: 295-3568
LIGHTHOUSE
131 South Road Smith's HS 01 - Tel: 293-9323 (or call S.T.A.R. Office at 292-5941)
Principal Contact: Carolyn Armstrong Director
Provides counseling by experienced and caring volunteers; personal caregivers in-home hospital and hospice; provides housing for HIV positive persons before the need of hospitalization (those whoa re still ambulatory); provides some financial assistance and support groups.
SUBSTANCE ABUSE - Need Help For Teens? CLICK HERE
CENTRE FOR ALCOHOL & DRUG ABUSE (CADA)
The Stables Building 91 Reid Street East Hamilton HM 19
Tel: 295-5982 Fax: 295-6016 Email: cada@ibl.bm
Principal Contact: Tia Warner Prevention Activities Coordinator
CADA has awareness and prevention programmes for alcohol and drug abuse. The group PRIDE (Parents Resource Institute for Drug Education) is also a part of CADA.
TURNING POINT
44 Devon Spring Road Devonshire FL 01- Tel: 236-3770 (ext 3403) Fax: 239-2257
Principal Contact: Joanne Dill Programme Manager
Provides services for chemically-dependent people and their families including methadone treatment & anger management and depression. For more information contact the Programme Manager.
FAIR HAVENS CHRISTIAN CARE ASSOCIATION
67 Verdmont Road Smith's FL 02 - Tel: 295-2319 Fax: 295-3686
Principal Contact: Caron Assan Director
Provides residential care and rehabilitation for alcohol and/or drug dependent women.
PHYSICAL ABUSE CENTRE - HOTLINE (24 hr): 297-8278
Office: 38 Mount Hill Pembroke HM 09 - Tel: 292-4366 Fax: 292-9280
Email: physicalabuse@ibl.bm
Primary Contact: Alfred Augustus Director
Additional Contacts: Nina Jones Counselor; Rose Vickers Facilitator of Men's Programme
Provides counseling for physical emotional or sexual abuse; shelter to women and children who have been physically abused; maintains a 24-hr hotline manned by Crisis Counselors. Also provides an Abuse-Free Programme for perpetrators of domestic violence.
WOMENS RESOURCE CENTRE - HOTLINE (6 pm to 6 am): 295-7273
58 Reid Street Hamilton HM 12 - Tel: 295-3882 Fax: 296-9833
Principal Contact: Penny Dill Executive Director
Provides workshops seminars and forums to inform educate the community of preventive measures against sexual assault and physical/sexual abuse; maintains a public reference library; supports clients through the legal process.
In Bermuda more than 250 children have been directly affected by HIV/AIDS either through the death of a parent or other family member such as a sibling uncle or aunt or grandparent. In some cases children have been born with HIV infection. To mitigate the impact of stigma and discrimination often associated with HIV infection the Allan Vincent Smith Foundation has created a partnership with Camp Heartland to provide travel for over 15 children to attend the camp which helps these children deal with the issues which are specific to them while also providing the opportunity to meet others who share their interests and enjoy fun activities. Locally there are a number of agencies which cater to the needs of children affected or infected with HIV or who face challenges in daily life in our community. Below you'll find a short-list of agencies and organizations which can help children in Bermuda.
BERMUDA YOUTH COUNSELING SERVICES
127 Front Street Hamilton HM 12 - Tel: 296-7548 Fax: 296-7549
Email: ezuill@bycs.bm or ebrowne@ibl.bm
Principal Contact: Eudora Browne-Zuill Programme Manager
This agency works with persons between the ages of 10 to 24 who experiment with alcohol and drugs. Also provides an after-care programme. For more information contact directly between the hours of 9-5 Monday through Friday.
COALITION FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN
38 Mount Hill Pembroke HM 09 - Tel: 295-1150 Fax: 295-2430
Principal Contact: Sheelagh Cooper
Provides counseling and operates a child abuse hotline in addition to Peer Mediation Groups in local schools.
Women are becoming the fastest growing segment of our community infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. In many cases they have been caregivers (as mothers wives or sisters) and have been responsible for the rearing of children infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. However in our community and around the world not many agencies specifically deal with the issues which are relevant to women only. Use the links to organizations and agencies above to locate the help that might be most closely related to the problems you may be experiencing. Also you may call the Allan Vincent Smith Foundation Lifestyle Support Line (295-0002) for additional assistance and guidance. For emotional physical and sexual abuse see the related links above.
Gay men in Bermuda have had to live in secrecy and shame due to the antiquated laws which have been in effect until 1994 when the Stubbs Bill was passed which repealed sodomy laws between consenting male adults in the privacy of their own homes. Extreme homophobia coupled with the stigma and discrimination of HIV/AIDS have led to this group still being an 'at-risk' group in our community. The Allan Vincent Smith Foundation has supported the formation of a Gay Men's Support Group to encourage discussion and to help mitigate the expansion of HIV infection and other STDs.
GAY MENS SUPPORT GROUP
Meetings are once a week and begin at 7:00 and end at 10:00. Continuing members pay $5 per session to cover rent and other expenses. For information about our meetings call 295-0002 or email us at gmsg@northrock.bm.
In the summer of 2002 the Foundation launched its online Sexual Health Forum called ASK ANDREA ANYTHING. Andrea a healthcare professional who wishes to remain anonymous realized that many people seeking answers to personal questions about sex methods techniques and safety felt uncomfortable about calling an HIV/AIDS Hotline.
Hence she has agreed to facilitate the process by searching for answers to any such question. Just click on the link above and feel free to ask her ANYTHING about sex love and relationships.
Andrea's Forum is NOT RESTRICTED to anyone - and any viewer may express an opinion to her answers.
N.B. Please note that as of January 2003 Andrea's Page has been combined with our General Chat Forum to better serve you.