STAYING GOLD WITH BGF
Having a supportive community around you is really important when you’re going through a tough time. The Bobby Goldsmith Foundation are giving those living with HIV the connection, care, and support they need to live a full life.
Founded by a group of friends who wanted to make their mates' final days as comfortable as they could, the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation is a HIV registered charity that provides care to thousands of Australians each year.
BGF’s main mission is to support and empower people living with HIV. They provide health and wellbeing programs for patients in NSW and SA, giving them access to the treatment, care, and support they need to go for gold.
For the last decade, Local Matters has helped BGF with our restaurants in Surry Hills and Darlinghurst raising over $4,000 to support BGF’s services and programs.
Recently, Local Matters helped to fund their Eat Well, Live Well program, a free 10-week course for people living with HIV that focuses on health, eating, and practical cooking skills. More importantly, the workshop also promotes social inclusion, allowing participants to connect with other people living with HIV.
Curtis, who’s been living with HIV for 19 years, recently took part in the Eat Well, Live Well Workshop. He was keen to learn how to take better care of his health, as well as make some friends through the program.
Through the workshop, Curtis made two new friends who he regularly catches up with. These friendships that Curtis has made, along with becoming part of a new community, have made a huge difference to his life.
“Up until now my only companion has been my sausage dog Ketchup. He’s cute, but the conversation was always a bit one sided,” said Curtis, “For the first time in many years, I'm with people I genuinely regard as friends. This and being part of the HIV community has changed my life for the better. I owe much of that to BGF and their Health & Wellbeing programs”.