Creating a safe space during Covid-19 pandemic

THE Covid-19 lockdown saw places like the Blue Roof Life Space (BRLS) move swiftly to ensure they could continue to make their high priority services accessible to their most vulnerable beneficiaries at this time.

Psychosocial manager, Nicole Freese, shared, “Our focus was to ensure that our patients would continue to access their HIV Care and Treatment Services. We were concerned that by defaulting their treatment at this time, their immune systems would become a vulnerable target for Covid-19 infection. We needed to ensure that the Blue Roof Life Space was going to be their safe space during this time of fear and uncertainty.”

Tom Butterworth, the centre manager said that their first response was to identify which of their services were essential and the staff tasked to offer these services. Like all service providers offering essential services, the Blue Roof set up their space with the various health and safety practices to prevent the spread of the virus.

“To deny the physical and emotional impact the last three months have had on us as an organisation and the individuals who have provided services would be untruthful. As a community we rallied together, pulled up our sleeves and made things happen to try and minimise the devastating impact we knew Covid-19 would have on the exposed and vulnerable. Once again our doors are open and we are offering a wider range of services under strict social distancing and hygiene practices,” said Butterworth.

Butterworth together with the Blue Roof staff encourage members of the community to access the free HIV Counselling and Testing services. “Knowing your HIV status is your first line of defence against being infected with Covid-19. During the pandemic, you may experience stress, anxiety, fear, sadness and loneliness. Mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression, can worsen. To help in this area we are offering general counselling and support up to age of 25 years,” he said.

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