Peer Support
We offer peer support provided by our experienced team of Peer Support Co-ordinators. This can be by telephone, in-person at our building, or in your HIV clinic. Peer support co-ordinators can register you with our services, carry out a full assessment of your needs, and tell you all about what we can offer. They can help with some practical advice and support. For more complex advice needs they can link you in with our Advice Team.
Counselling
One to one counselling provides free and confidential one to one support. All counsellors are qualified or are in placement with Positive East.
Psychology services for women
Our psychology services are for women living with HIV who have experienced significant trauma as part of our Re:Assure programme.
Social and support groups
We currently offer four community based support groups that meet monthly.
Positive Over 50, Rainbow Men, Women’s Group, Together Group
Peer Mentoring
Would you like some guidance and support to help you overcome particular challenges in your life with HIV. A peer mentor might be the right option for you. You’d be matched with one of our highly trained peer mentor volunteers to guide you in identifying challenges you face or things you want to change.
Learning to live well with HIV
This course is designed to help you get the best start in adapting to life after finding out you have HIV. There’s a mix of information, as well as activities to develop practical and emotional skills. It’s aimed at people who have been diagnosed positive within the last three years, but can sometimes be opened up to someone who has been diagnosed longer. The course runs four times a year, delivered in partnership with METRO, Positive East, Positively UK and Terrence Higgins Trust
Workshops
We offer a range of workshops, some as a series, and some as individual sessions, enabling you to live the best possible life with HIV. These have included topics as varied as learning how to be more compassionate to yourself, dealing with HIV self-stigma, men’s wellbeing workshops and much more.
We also have regular information events, as part of our Wellbeing Matters series. Topics are varied and include getting the best from your GP, managing better sleep, menopause and managing chronic pain.
Creative opportunities
We have regular creative opportunities that you could come along to enjoy, meet new friends and old, gain new skills and explore your creative side. Our creative sessions vary throughout the year, and as well as being enjoyable, give an opportunity to explore aspects of our lives with HIV – such as managing self-stigma, our identities and how we are seen by others.
Sessions have included theatre-making, creative writing, textile art, photography, and movement and dance.
Complementary therapies
We currently offer complementary therapies as group activities, so that there is an added opportunity to come together with other people living with HIV. We have twice weekly Mindfulness Meditation sessions – delivered online via Zoom – on Tuesdays and Fridays. Every Wednesday we also offer in-person group Qigong exercise sessions, and also Ear Acupuncture.
We’re exploring ways that we can enable access to a wider range of complementary therapies in partnership with specialist organisations.
Getting involved
Anyone living with HIV who lives in any of the East London boroughs – or who gets their HIV care at an East London clinic – can get involved with our Health & Wellbeing services. You might not realise it, but just by coming along to one of our social and support groups, you’re also providing support to others – simply by being there.
You might want to get further involved – for many people living with HIV, volunteering to support others is an important part of their own wellbeing.
Our Health and Wellbeing programme aims to support you to become:
Connected
To your communities, other people living with HIV, and to the organisations and services that can help
Confident
In your day-to-day life, in your ability to manage your own health and the practicalities of life with HIV
Informed
Making it easier for you to find information and services that help you to live the happiest and healthiest possible life with HIV
Confident
In your day-to-day life, in your ability to manage your own health and the practicalities of life with HIV
Informed
Making it easier for you to find information and services that help you to live the happiest and healthiest possible life with HIV
Updates and workshops
As part of our Health and Wellbeing programme we offer a range of workshops, seminars, social events, outings and open days. Please visit our calendar for the update to date listings, or email talktome@positiveeats.org.uk
Click HERE to view the full calendar of events
Self referral portal
Ready to access Positive East and our HIV support services? The first step is to get in touch!
