An HIV/AIDS charity has expanded into larger premises in West Bromwich in a deal put together by Black Country property agents Bond Wolfe.
Summit House Support (SHS) has taken 2,200 sq ft on a four year lease at Landchard House, Victoria Street, after outgrowing existing space at Victoria House and needing better facilities to assist people with mobility problems.
SHS currently employs a total of 13 full, part-time and sessional staff and is recruiting for two more. SHS had previously occupied Victoria House, High Street, West Bromwich and as both buildings are owned by Bond Wolfe the firm was able to ease the relocation.
“It demonstrates our ability to work with existing tenants and be flexible to their needs,” said James Mattin, managing partner. “We were very pleased to be able to instantly identify extended facilities for such a socially vital organisation.”
SHS has been providing help to vulnerable adults living with or affected by HIV/AIDS since 1993. The charity also provides support for people in drug and alcohol recovery and runs a gay, bisexual and transgender project. Originally known as Dudley HIV/AIDS Support, it was for many years based in Stourbridge and has grown from a small charity consisting of just one person and one desk. SHS supports around 650 people a year and demand is increasing given the current economic climate.
Interim manager Mark Ellerby said: “We are seeing more inquiries from people worried about their benefits given the Government’s Welfare to Work programme. We are dealing with quite a lot of individuals in financial difficulty or whose health has been affected.
“We seek to empower people to make lifestyle changes and choices, moving them on where possible, be it into employment, looking after themselves better or increasing their confidence and self-esteem.
“Our services are available to anyone who lives in the Dudley or Sandwell areas and we have a wide range of people who use them.
“The HIV/AIDS service is available for anyone living with HIV and their friends, partners, lovers, carers and families. We provide HIV/AIDS Awareness training to local statutory and voluntary sector agencies and small groups with limited funding. The drug and alcohol recovery service is provided in Sandwell only.
“SHS runs weekly drop-in sessions and commits to working to reduce the incidence of HIV transmission and decrease stigma and discrimination by increasing HIV awareness amongst the whole community.
“The aim is to help people live a healthy life.”
Anyone interested in finding out more about the work of SHS please telephone 01384-243220. It means just one suite remains available at Landchard House. The popular town centre building is particularly well located opposite a Metro stop, close to the bus station and near the new Sandwell College.