The WA AIDS Council Positive Services Department provides a range of services for People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Here’s a snapshot of what’s happening at the moment.
There are three Support Officers (Jess, Amanda and Grace) in Positive Services. These officers provide a number of welfare services for PLWHA including financial assistance, public housing advocacy and support, crisis housing referrals, food parcels, assessments for volunteer support, home visits and any other appropriate referrals which may contribute to meeting someone’s needs. PLWHA may self-refer to link in with these services, or ask for a referral from their clinic/doctor or any other agency they may be in contact with.
Positive Services has a dedicated counselling service, which provides specialised counselling for people facing issues around HIV, sexuality, gender and same sex relationships. Our counsellor Suzanne is currently running a five week self-esteem course that explores strategies and tools for increasing self-esteem. Suzanne also provides pre- and post- test discussion training for professionals within the health sector. Please call Suzanne at the AIDS Council for any further information about counselling or related workshops.
The Living Well Program is a complementary therapy program, which provides a range of therapies for PLWHA. Currently there are four practitioners volunteering their time and energy to the program. Therapies available are Reiki, Massage, Acupressure and Acupuncture. These therapies are based in our Living Well room at WAAC in West Perth. If you are a qualified (or near-qualified) practitioner and would like to become involved in this program, or for PLWHA wishing to make a booking, please call Jess on 9482 0000.
The Health Enhancement Team in Positive Services includes Cipri (HIV Positive Peer Education and Support) and Lisa (Women’s Project Officer). Cipri and Lisa facilitate a range of workshops to provide emotional and practical support for PLWHA. Recent and upcoming events include Genesis (for people with recent HIV positive diagnosis or newly engaged); men’s, women’s and general positive retreats; women’s morning tea/support group and social events; sexuality and relationship workshops; Yoga workshops and Family Day. Cipri and Lisa also provide one-on-one emotional support and advocacy, and treatments information. A recent program Cipri has started is POS Cyber Chat, aimed at providing an on-line peer support environment. Call Cipri at the AIDS Council for more information about accessing this program.
Life Coaching is a new program within Positive Services, and has already proved to be very popular for PLWHA wishing to set new goals and move forward in their lives. Life coaching is for people wishing to engage in meaningful challenges, to create the life they most want to be living. A recent retreat workshop informing PLWHA about life coaching has resulted in a number of people registering for this program.
For PLWHA wishing to know more about this program, or to link in with any of our services, please contact the Positive Services Manager Sally Rowell at the AIDS Council.
The WA AIDS Council, 664 Murray St., can be contacted on 9482 0000. For more information, visit their website www.waaids.com.
Lisa Tomney, Women’s Project Officer, WAAC
