BARELY ALIVE!
This category includes charities which are all concerned, in some sense, issues relating to the human body – its health and well-being, and our complex, often fraught, emotional relationship with it; particularly in areas such as sexuality and sexual health, body image and eating disorders. Some of these charities address problems which disproportionately afflict vulnerable and marginalised people, and are compounded by prejudice, social stigma and feelings of isolation and embarrassment. Some are especially concerned with the needs of sexual minorities and other groups that are subject, all too often, to abuse and discrimination. All of these charities, I think, deserve your full attention – and if you can spare it, your generous support.
In the listings below, I give a brief description of each charity in my Barely Alive category, plus a link to their website, for further information.
If you decide to hire me, for any of my photography-based services, you may choose Barely Alive! as your Charity Preference.
This means that when you make payment, half my net income from the work I undertake for you will be divided between the charities listed below.
Of course, you may also donate directly to any of these charities. Just click on the donations button, which opens the charity’s fundraising page.
BAGGY TROUSERS UK
Baggy Trousers UK is a cancer charity based in the North West of England, founded by Jack Broadley in 2014. After going through his own experience of testicular cancer at the age of 21, Jack decided to take on this challenge to embark on a journey that would inspire him to helping others that have been affected by the illness that he’d once had. The charity’s aims include protecting the physical and mental health of sufferers of testicular cancer and providing financial assistance, support, education and practical advice to those affected by it. Their activities include raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of testicular cancer, encouraging males to visit their GP if they detect any of these indications, promoting the benefits of early diagnosis and treatment and providing social support and advice via telephone, email, social media and a monthly peer support group.
BLOODY GOOD PERIOD
Bloody Good Period is a charity which fights for the right of women and those who menstruate to access menstrual supplies, particularly refugees, asylum seekers and others in poverty, who cannot afford to buy them. Whilst the immediate needs and preferences of vulnerable people are the charity’s prime concern, Bloody Good Period recognises the negative environmental impact of some common disposable products and supports the appropriate introduction and free availability of more sustainable options – where those options are right for the people they work with. Bloody Good Period also campaigns to change public policy in this area, believing that providing period products to those who need them should be the responsibility of the government and businesses, not charities!
NATIONAL UGLY MUGS
National Ugly Mugs (NUM) is a pioneering organisation which seeks to end all forms of violence against sex workers. The charity works with sex workers to do research, design and deliver safety tools and to provide support services to people working in adult industries. Its mission is to provides greater access to justice and protection for sex workers, who are often targeted by dangerous individuals and face obstacles to reporting, access to service and police protection. NUM serves sex workers of all genders, ages, abilities, cultures and modes of work and offer a digital reporting and alerting mechanism to warn these communities about dangerous individuals who may target them. NUM sees this highly inclusive approach as the best way for active sex workers to gain rights and recognition, organise to combat discrimination, stigma, criminalisation they face, and work towards improving community safety.
BEAT EATING DISORDERS
Founded in 1989 as the Eating Disorders Association, Beat Eating Disorders seeks end the pain and suffering caused by these psychologically and physically devastating illnesses. Around 1.25 million people in the UK suffer from eating disorders, many in secret. The consequences are devastating; anorexia, for example, has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, though all eating disorders can be deadly. Even for those who survive, eating disorders steal childhoods, devastate relationships and pull families apart – but with the right treatment and support, recovery and healing is possible. Beat Eating Disorders operates a national helpline to encourage and empower people to get help quickly. The charity also provides support services to family and friends, equipping them with essential skills and advice, so they can help their loved ones recover whilst also looking after their own mental health.
TERRENCE HIGGINS TRUST
The Terrence Higgins Trust is the UK's leading HIV and sexual health charity, founded in 1982 at the beginning of the global HIV and AIDS epidemic. It's aims include:
supporting people living with HIV, amplifying their voices and helping them to cope with the impact the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic still has upon their daily lives.
Challenging the stigma and discrimination widely associated with poor sexual health.
delivering high quality HIV and sexual health services in local communities across the UK - helping people, in general, enjoy good sexual health
Working with the HIV commission to ending the transmission of HIV in the UK by 2030.
HARMLESS
The true prevalence of self-harm – the practice of deliberately injuring oneself, often in response to intense feelings of depression, anxiety or emotional distress – is notoriously hard to measure, as it is often highly secretive. Research suggests, nevertheless, that it is a remarkably widespread and serious problem, which requires sensitive and sympathetic treatment. Harmless is a Community Interest Company (CIC) which uses revenues from its training business to fund a range of vital, life-saving services. Support is offered to all people impacted by self harm including children, although we often undertake this work through family work and support. Clients includes people who are at risk of, or are actively self harming – and also their families, friends and loved ones. In association with a sister organisation, The Tomorrow Project, Harmless extends its support to people going through crisis and at risk of suicide.