Peer mentoring

Peer Mentor role

Our peer mentors see people on a 1-2-1 basis. They support them with a variety of issues and can work with individuals for either a few sessions to a few months depending on the circumstances. Their support can be face to face, via email or telephone. Some of our Peer Mentors provide support at London HIV clinics and work alongside health professionals and consultants.

Some of our peer mentors also help with the running of some of our support groups, workshops and seminars.

Benefit of becoming a peer mentor

Meeting new people
Learn and develop new skills
Be part of a wider network
Opportunity to develop organization and interpersonal skills
Obtain references after completing a minimum of three months volunteering

How to become a Peer Mentor

If you feel you have the experience and time to support someone else living with HIV to live a full and health life, please get in touch. After which, you’ll undergo a full training programme and then be paired. You’ll receive full support from Positive East during your time as a Peer Mentor.

What does a peer mentor do?

What we’re looking for in Peer Mentors

We’re looking for Peer Mentors who are able to support others living with HIV by sharing their experience and knowledge including treatment understanding, services available, how to tackle stigma, healthy relationships, ART adherence suggestions and welfare issues.

Testimonials

What our mentors say

Being a peer mentor at Positive East has been very gratifying. With the comprehensive and practical training, plus the continuous supervision, I have learnt to understand the many ways people cope and learn to live their lives, while living with the HIV virus. I have been able to share my knowledge, and to guide those who are in need to be heard, to give support and guidance through this transition in their lives.

Peer support is the best present I can do to myself and to people looking for emotional and practical support. It's a journey of learning for me too. I have learnt that listening is such a powerful healing tool. Peer mentoring at Positive East is a beautiful service given to the community and happy to be part of it.

I wanted to become a Peer Mentor to be part of the support system for newly diagnosed clients. When I was diagnosed, I was so ignorant towards HIV and wasn't aware of any support systems. It was hell for me. Peer Support is my way of making sure people have support dealing with their diagnoses, as well as any other underlining issues, at the beginning and throughout. The training I received for the role was outstanding, intense and thoroughly enjoyable! Any confidence issues I had prior to the training were quashed, and the support I have from the Peer Support Workers is amazing. I hope this doesn't all sound too kiss ass, I'm just speaking from the heart. I love my role as Peer Support Volunteer!

Becoming an HIV Mentor Volunteer with Positive East has been absolutely affirming and it has given me the most comfort ever being myself, particularly being Black, Gay, Christian and HIV positive. Helping others come to terms or at least have a rethink about their diagnosis has been a great experience. I cannot hold a conversation without sharing about my HIV status. I personally think, this way we can end prejudice and stop stigma.

I have been involved in the Peer Mentor programme for nearly three years. I’ve found the experience to be very beneficial to myself. The programme has helped me develop my own network of people living well with HIV. -It has made me more empathetic to those whose situation may be very much less privileged than my own and, I hope, more skilled in listening and helping others arrive at solutions to the issues most important to them. Thanks to all employed staff at Positive East for their sensitive and conscientious management of the programme.’

Become a peer mentor

We would like to hear from you if you have an HIV diagnosis and wants to support others to live well with HIV and be part of a service that works in the health and social care sector.

In return we will train you professionally with a three-day training course.

How to have a peer mentor

If you would like to receive support from a peer mentor, please get in touch and we will try and match you with a suitable mentor. We may be able to match you with a mentor of your preference.

Please contact Antonio Giacalone antonio.giacalone@positiveeast.org.uk

Tel 0207 7919314