WAAC has received funding to develop the creation of ‘The Positive Speakers Bureau’, an initiative that empowers people living with HIV to share their stories, fostering greater understanding and reducing stigma and discrimination.
ViiV Healthcare Australia recently announced the community-based HIV organisations who will receive funding from the annual Positive Action Community Grants (PACG) program.
The program, in its 10th year in Australia, delivers support to community groups focused on improving the lives of people with HIV, and has delivered $2M since its inception, supporting over 50 projects.
This year, a total of $200,000 in funding has been awarded to five organisations with projects dedicated to boosting health access and awareness in priority populations, strengthening patient-provider relationships, and enhancing health system responses to drive better long-term outcomes.
Ann Maccarrone, Community Engagement and Partnerships Manager at ViiV Healthcare Australia, says that this year’s award recipients exemplified the importance of funding community-led initiatives to address stigma and discrimination to improve the quality of life of people living with HIV.
“We are honoured to support the five recipients of the 2024 PACG program, whose initiatives align with our mission to create meaningful and lasting impact for people living with HIV, and to leave no person living with HIV behind.
“The initiatives led by WAAC, Watipa, National Association of People with HIV Australia, Thorne Harbour Health and HIV/AIDS Legal Centre will expand services for priority populations, ensuring that people living with HIV receive support at every stage of their journey,” Maccarrone said.
The new project at WAAC will aim to empower people living with HIV with the skills to share their experiences and challenges, fostering awareness and understanding across diverse audiences.
In collaboration with the Positive Organisation of WA (POWA), and with support from Living Positive Victoria (LPV), WAAC is ensuring strong community involvement in shaping the program’s development.
“Speakers will engage with schools, healthcare professionals, aged-care workers, police, Aboriginal services, and health students to build empathy, compassion, and inclusivity. This project aims to create safer and more supportive communities for people living with HIV,” said Rhys Ross, Senior HIV Peer Educator and Coordinator of the PSB Project at WAAC.
