The Forge Centre
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The Forge Centre provides social work support and counselling for people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS or Hepatitis C as well as confidential counselling and testing. The centre is also able to offer counselling for Hepatitis C (HCV).
The Centre is based at:
6 Claremont Place
Sheffield
S10 2TB
Telephone: (0114) 226 1142
Opening Hours are Monday – Friday from 8.45 am – 5.15 pm.
There is disabled access and there are disabled toilet facilities.
The Forge Centre is the home to a social work team who are part of Sheffield City Council Social Services. The team at the centre work with people who are affected by HIV or Hepatitis C.
The social workers will see you in the hospital, at the Forge Centre or in your own home depending on your needs and wishes.
Help in Hospital
Sometimes medical or nursing staff will ask a social worker to see someone if they feel they may benefit from any of the help available through the social work team. The person themselves may ask to see a social worker.
If you feel you would like to speak to a social worker, ask one of the ward staff to contact the team, or if you prefer you can telephone them directly. When no one is in the office you can leave a message on the answer phone. This is totally confidential.
Help at Home
Home care workers & occupational therapists are available in some cases following your discharge from hospital. If you feel you need more support at home, ask the staff to contact the social worker who will arrange to visit and assess your needs.
Referrals for Other Services
Social Services departments and voluntary agencies provide a wide range of services to people in the community. Technical aids for those with a disability, adaptations to your home, day care and residential care are just some of the types of help which may be available. Again, the social work staff will be pleased to discuss with you any needs you may have for other services, those which can improve the quality of life for you and for those who may be helping to care for you. Services are provided following an assessment by the social worker.
In urgent cases we aim to contact within 5 working days. Otherwise we aim to contact in 10 working days and carry out an assessment in 6 weeks.
Advocacy and Advice
Advice will vary from one person to the next, depending on who you ask. However, the social worker will be able to obtain specific information for you whilst you are in hospital.
As well as providing information for you, a social worker, with your permission, may be able to advocate on your behalf if there are difficulties or problems facing you. They will be able to help you get the best advise on legal matters, which is available from local and national agencies.
Counselling
The team at the forge centre are trained in using counselling skills in their work. If you need to talk one-to-one and in confidence about how you are feeling, or if you are anxious or concerned about any matters affecting you at present, the social worker will arrange with you to set a time and place aside to meet and share your concerns.
Rehabilitation
Along with other members of the ward team, the social worker is involved in the rehabilitation of patients who are recovering from illness.
They will help you to sort out housing and employment problems and help you to move towards a full and active life. The social worker can also refer you to other appropriate rehabilitation services if this should be necessary.
In some parts of the country there are special residential centres available which feel more like home than hospital. These are not just for those who are ill, they can provide support to those who care for you. Social workers can give you information about these respite centres.
The Staff at the Forge Centre
We offer a social work service to people who are affected by HIV and Hepatitis C.
Our approach. We are committed to these basic principles:
- Maximising health and independence.
- Empowering people to make constructive choices in relation to their needs.
- Encouraging people to sustain the ability to make informed decisions in relation to their life style.
- Providing & supporting the person to access resources.
- We respect the persons right to confidentiality.
HIV Testing and Pre and Post Test Counselling
Deciding to take an HIV or HCV test is a major step and you will want to have as much information and support as possible before you make this decision. Anyone asking for a test will have a chance to talk about this with a trained member of staff before the test is done.
This is a time to share any worries or concerns you have, and it is an opportunity to ask questions. If you decide to go ahead with the test, a sample of blood will be taken and this will be tested for HIV, Hepatitis, and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases, if you wish.
Should you have concern about the time it takes for test results to be returned please ask to speak to the doctor/social worker at the clinic where you have the test done. It may be possible for them to arrange for the results to be sent back sooner than indicated.
All testing is completely confidential. No one else will be told you have had a test for HIV or HCR without your consent.
HIV or Hepatitis C Testing at the Forge Centre
To make an appointment to discuss HIV/HCV testing please telephone the Forge Centre on (0114) 226 1142, between 8.45 am and 5.15 pm Monday to Friday, where you will obtain free and confidential advice and information from the social worker.
Should you choose to take the test you will be offered an interview with the social worker on the day of the test. This might take place at the Forge Centre or at the out-patient clinic on floor E of the Royal Hallamshire hospital. Afterwards a sample of blood will be taken.
Results are normally within seven days. You must return in person for the results, and post test counselling.
We cannot offer a walk-in service you must book an appointment. However this can usually be arranged quickly.
Other Agencies
The social workers can give you up-to-date information on all the other agencies, including voluntary agencies who offer support and help people affected by HIV and HCV.
For more information about the range of services available in Sheffield visit the Sheffield Centre for HIV and Sexual Health website or telephone (0114) 226 1900. The Centre is part of Community Health Sheffield NHS Trust and works with statutory and voluntary agencies and community groups to promote sexual health in its widest sense using a range of methods.
Interpretation
If you have difficulty speaking English we can arrange for an interpreter. Please speak to the staff at the Forge Centre.
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