Birthday Party for River House

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HIV/Aids centre in Furnival Gardens open for 18 years

A pioneering centre for people living with HIV/AIDS has celebrated 18 years of helping Hammersmith and Fulham residents with a birthday party

The River House Trust in Furnival Gardens, Hammersmith has been supporting local residents coming to terms with their HIV status since 1988.

The Trust, which is jointly funded by Hammersmith & Fulham Council, the five local Primary Care Trusts and the St Paul's Charitable Trust, provides a range of services under one roof.

At the centre residents living with HIV can access welfare benefits advice, social work services, housing advice, counselling, advocacy and complementary therapies. There is also a popular drop-in service with lunch as well as support for carers.

Councillor Antony Lillis, Hammersmith & Fulham Council cabinet member for Health & Social Services, said, "HIV/AIDS can be devastating but the River House means that Hammersmith & Fulham residents should never feel marginalised or forgotten about. The council is committed to improving the lives of local people and we value the excellent work the River House Trust
does. We will continue to support them."

Actress and Patron of the Trust, Pauline Collins, of Shirley Valentine fame, cut the cake and spoke to service users and visitors at the party.

River House Trust Chief Executive Joseph Burke says, "We celebrate 18 years of working in partnership with a wide range of public and voluntary agencies, our service users and staff. This is our heart and our strength. We acknowledge that a large part of this is due to the support, over the years, of Hammersmith & Fulham Council."

River House is open five days a week providing various services from complementary therapies and social services to Housing Advice and counselling.

August 21, 2006