African Services

The African services team provides advice and guidance to help meet the cultural and language needs of our African clients. African specialist workers carry out one to one sessions providing information, advice referrals and advocacy to support you to access, and get the best from, the services that you need to help you. The workers will also offer you emotional support where needed.

African support services

It is recognised that Africans sometimes experience difficulties in accessing services. Positive East therefore employs the following Specialist African Workers to provide culturally sensitive services to fellow Africans affected by HIV/AIDS.

Support Groups:
The team of African workers run a number of support groups across East London and inner Essex. These groups enable African people to access information and support, and to reduce the isolation of living with HIV/AIDS. Wholesome African food and crèche facilities are provided at each group. Please contact the named worker if you are interested in any of the following groups:

Please telephone the relevant team member if you have any queries about our services.

Confidentiality:
All services are provided in the strictest confidence and with utmost professionalism. The African Workers will not disclose any information about you without your permission. All information about you will remain within Positive East but we may have to share this information with other members of staff. If you have any concerns about this, please telephone Josephine, or speak to someone else in the organisation.

Advice, information, referrals and advocacy:
The team provides general advice about services available both within Positive East or externally, and can arrange for you to access them. These include Social Services, Services for Asylum Seekers, housing and benefits advice, Treatment Centres and many others. In addition, you can find out about services specifically provided for African people in London. We can arrange for you to access these services and offer ongoing support and advocacy if and when required.

Services for Men:

We have a male worker especially employed to help African men access services as described above. In addition, any worries relating to sexual health, relationships, skills for work, education, health and fitness, etc., can be discussed in a safe and culturally sensitive way with the male worker.

Emotional Support:
If you are feeling low, unwell and/or isolated and need to speak to someone from a similar background as yourself, you are welcome to talk to one of the African Workers. They will advise you on how to live well with HIV and can arrange to visit you at home or in hospital if necessary.

Special Events/Activities
We also organise special adult and children's events during the summer and around Christmas time. These are always well publicised in advance. You will need to book with the relevant team member.

Services for Non English Speakers:
If you find it difficult or cannot communicate in English, please don't give up. The African Workers may either speak your language or will arrange for translation and interpretation so that your needs can be effectively met. We currently have the following language skills within the team:

Swahili, French, Lingala, Kinyarwanda, Kirundi, Luganda and Italian.

Positive East support groups are compliant under section 35 of the Race Relations Act 1976