Cuts mean that the UK’s largest HIV charity, the Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) has stopped providing advanced immigration and welfare casework. However, the charity is emphasising that it will still be providing general welfare advice and support and some less intensive casework.
At the end of April, THT closed its Specialist Advice Centre that provided advanced casework advice, including tribunals and appeals for immigration, housing, welfare benefits and social care cases.
Bronwen Roberts, director of primary care and service development at THT explained, “the Specialist Advice Centre’s advice was provided by solicitors rather than caseworkers/advisers” and that generalist advice on welfare, immigration and housing and some case work would continue to be provided by caseworkers and advisers.
“We are taking great care to ensure that anyone using the Specialist Advice Centre at the moment is fully supported and their case is handed over to an external solicitor experienced in the appropriate area,” said Sally Wright, spokesperson for THT, adding, “a register of external solicitors who are able to take on new people presenting for legal advice in the future is also being compiled.”
THT cited “increasing financial pressures” for the closure of the Specialist Advice Centre. It is understood that the decision to close it was taken because it was facing a shortfall in its funding of £170,000. “We tried hard over the past twelve months to improve funding for the Specialist Advice Centre to cover its costs, but without success, said Sally Wright, adding: “it has been operating in a very tight and worsening financial climate, as has the charity and indeed the sector, and the shortfall in funding to date has had to be met from elsewhere in our services. Unfortunately, this is not sustainable, and would have a negative impact on our ability to protect and deliver our services in the future.”
Paying tribute to the past work of the Specialist Advice Centre, THT also gave an indication of how much its services could be missed, “over the years, it [the Specialist Advice Centre] has advocated for many people with HIV, and shaped case law to benefit countless more going forward. Its legacy is something for which we are both proud and grateful.”
As well as providing basic advice through its information portal, the telephone line THT Direct, THT will continue to provide advice and support through its regional offices in London and around the UK.