About Us

The organisation was founded in 1986 (and constituted as a registered charity in 1989) by a small group of people whose lives had been affected by HIV/AIDS. They found the discrimination and prejudice for people with AIDS almost insumountable and that there was little support, information or understanding for them locally. They decided to act and at the start the group met one afternoon a month at each others homes but quickly progressed to meeting one day a week at a day centre in Southbourne.

Over the years Body Positive Dorset has grown from strength to strength. Having outgrown its original premises, the Support Centre now occupies its own freehold, detached premises close to the town centre of Bournemouth - one of Britains premier tourist beach resorts.

The Support Centre was purchased with the aid of a £190,000 grant from the National Lottery Charities Board, and refurbished with grants from the Elton John AIDS Foundation, the AIDS Crisis trust and Crusaid to name but a few.

Sadly, in 1997 Diana, Princess of Wales, a great champion of rights and compassion for people living with HIV and AIDS died. In recognition of her efforts, Body Positive Dorset applied to name the building in her memory and in recognition that the work she performed would live on. We were deeply honoured to be allowed to to use the title by Her Majesty the Queen and the Home Office.

The Building now proudly carries the name 'Diana, Princess of Wales House.' Further to commemorate this honour, Diana's mother, the Honourable Mrs Francis Shand Kydd, officially opened the new Support Centre in April 1999.

Body Positive Dorset is grateful for the help of supporters and volunteers, both past and present.

Barbara - Executive Director

Barbara has experience in Business Management and is also a qualified Psychotherapist/Counsellor.