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We offer a wide range of emotional and practical support for people living with HIV

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One to One Support

Our dedicated support workers are here to make sure you receive the best care to enable you to manage your diagnosis. We know that talking about HIV can be hard, and that we may be the first people you speak to about this.  We also know that every one of us is different so we will listen to you and will help you to get the support you need, whatever your situation. We can meet you at our premises, at the clinic, in your home or at a neutral venue, wherever you feel most comfortable.

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Peer Support

We can connect you with one of our many wonderful HIV positive volunteers who have been through their own HIV experience and can help you to navigate your own journey. Their support and guidance can help you with many aspects of living with HIV and it is often easier to chat through your concerns with someone who is HIV positive themselves.

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Advice and Advocacy

We all face challenges in life where a little extra support is needed.  This might relate to advice on disclosing your HIV status to friends and family or to your employer. Or to support in accessing benefits, dealing with housing issues, attending medical appointments or helping you to speak up for your rights. If things get really tough for you, we can help with hardship applications and can provide access to foodbank vouchers.

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Open House

Our Open House is for anyone in Berkshire affected by HIV. Held Thursday at our Slough centre and on Wednesday in Reading, these open sessions provide a relaxed and friendly environment where you can meet other people living with HIV, learn from other’s experiences and make new friends.

You can also chat with our support workers about any questions or concerns you may have.

Food is provided and free WiFi is available.

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Counselling

We are able to offer a range of free counselling using BACP registered counsellors for a variety of different challenges that people may face related to HIV.

  • Short term counselling to help those coming to terms with their diagnosis or with starting medication.
  • Longer-term counselling for people whose issues affect their ability to manage their condition effectively.
  • Chemsex counselling to help people manage their chems usage and take control of their own lives and health.
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Mentor Programme

Sometimes we can all get a bit disconnected and need a little emotional support. Our mentor programme pairs you with a volunteer who can help you get out and about in the community and gain new life skills, or simply meet you to have a chat and a cup of tea or to have something to eat together. Mentor volunteers could be positive or negative and if they are negative you can help them to understand what it is like to live with HIV and become more HIV aware.