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There are now over 15,000 women living with HIV in the UK. HIV remains a stigmatising condition and many women cannot access support from their family or community for fear of discrimination and being ostracised. The Inclusion Project – a programme of collaborative working between Positively Women and organisations based around the UK, aims to develop effective and sustainable support services for women living with HIV.

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Categories

  • Arts/Culture/Heritage Arts/​Culture/​Heritage
  • Community Support & Development Community Support & Development
  • Education/Training/Employment Education/​Training/​Employment
  • Health/Wellbeing Health/​Wellbeing
  • Human Rights/Advocacy Human Rights/​Advocacy
  • Information/Advice Information/​Advice
  • Religious Religious
  • Other Other
  • Beneficiaries

    • Women & Girls Women & Girls

    Situation

    Positively Women’s Inclusion Project provides support for women living with HIV who are isolated due to a lack of local support services. Previously the majority of women living with HIV resided in London; however the demographics have changed with nearly 50% of women now residing outside the capital. The project co-ordinator works closely with local organisations across the UK to support the development of women’s groups. The project co-ordinator is also a positive woman and groups are established on the basis of providing peer support. A series of workshops for women living with HIV are delivered at local organisations throughout the year. The workshops firstly help women come to terms and understand their HIV diagnosis, explaining complex medical terms and questions women should be asking healthcare staff. Living with a long-term health condition, in particularly a stigmatising condition such as HIV, has a detrimental impact on women’s confidence. The second stage tackles self-esteem and the training provided through this project can be the first step in building confidence and personal development. The third and final step is a series of workshops addressing self-support and advocacy which enable women to provide support to other women living with HIV, in coming to terms with a diagnosis, managing personal health and facilitating effective group support. The project will result in:  Reduced feeling of isolation for women living with through accessing support groups with other positive women  Ability to make informed choices about personal healthcare and managing HIV medications  An increase in the confidence, knowledge and ability of women living with HIV to provide peer support to other women living with HIV  Sustainable peer networks providing ongoing emotional and practical support for women living with HIV across the UK The project costs a total of £75,000 per annum supporting 5 groups and providing direct training to 100 women.

    Solution

    100%
    Categories

  • Arts/Culture/Heritage Arts/​Culture/​Heritage
  • Community Support & Development Community Support & Development
  • Education/Training/Employment Education/​Training/​Employment
  • Health/Wellbeing Health/​Wellbeing
  • Human Rights/Advocacy Human Rights/​Advocacy
  • Information/Advice Information/​Advice
  • Religious Religious
  • Other Other
  • Beneficiaries

    • Women & Girls Women & Girls