a culturally appropriate service
All calls to the Helpline are taken by trained and paid staff, who are all of African origin. They therefore have adequate cultural awareness, experience and knowledge to enable them to provide the appropriate advice and information

a multi-lingual service
In addition to English and French, the Helpline service is provided in three African languages, which are: Luganda, Swahili and Shona
We are looking at increasing the number of the African languages that are used to provide the service in the future. Currently, arrangements can be made through Language Line to provide the service through interpreters for those languages that we do not provide at the African AIDS Helpline.

respecting the cultural issues influencing people's lifestyles
The new NHS policy of offering voluntary HIV testing to all pregnant women has highlighted a high number of African women testing positive for HIV and others giving birth to children who are HIV positive. At the African AIDS Helpline, advice and information is provided on various cultural issues especially as they relate to HIV, pregnancy and sexual health.

providing a culturally appropriate service for all Africans
We provide advice and information about HIV/AIDS and Sexual Health issues e.g. sexually transmitted infections, genital infections, etc. especially as they relate to sexual practices and lifestyles e.g. circumcision, breast feeding, polygamy within the different African communities. The Helpline provides advice to raise awareness of the risks involved for the various sexual health practices and lifestyles and advising how to make them safer.

free, confidential and accessible to all Africans living in the various regions of England
There are a considerable number of African refugees being dispersed in various parts of the country, including areas where there aren't any African communities. These people find themselves faced with a situation where they do not know where to go for help or language poses a barrier to accessing health services. The Helpline is free phone number that's accessible nationally to improve access to health services for Africans in such situations.

a vital HIV prevention and public education resource
There is limited awareness as well as stigma within African communities regarding the issue of HIV and AIDS. This leads to denial at the different levels of society for Africans living with HIV. It is often thought that the Helpline is a service for people with HIV; however, the Helpline service is available for every African who wants to know more about sexual health and HIV/AIDS. This helps erase the ignorance and misinformation about HIV and AIDS that often leads to prejudice and discrimination within our communities.