Counselling

Living Well’s talking therapies provide confidential non-judgmental one-to-one counselling support for common mental health issues such as stress, anxiety and depression, as well as any specific concerns relating to HIV, such as dealing with your diagnosis, stigma and managing personal relationships.

Life Coaching

Living Well’s life coaching supports people to unlock their full potential, enabling them to move beyond HIV to achieve ambitious yet realistic goals. One-to-one coaching can provide people with the structure, skills, perspective and confidence they need to make their dreams a reality.

Positive Health

YMCA’s 12-week programme of support provides expert support and guidance in the gym, as well as opportunities to try exercise classes and swimming. Participants also get access to a Nutritionist, social activities and a range of therapies including reflexology, sports/holistic massages and energy healing.

Outdoor Activities

Positively UK provides a range of peer-led outdoor activities, such as walking groups and yoga, to encourage greater community, increased socialisation and enhanced physical and mental health.

Wellbeing Workshops

Based on key principles of positive behaviour change, Living Well and Positively UK’s interactive coaching workshops can promote positive health messages, encourage healthier lifestyle choices and support users to develop coping strategies that help them build and maintain greater confidence, resilience and independence.

Art Therapy

A combination of art and psychotherapy, Living Well’s Art Therapy uses creative processes as a starting point for self-exploration and understanding, helping participants better express thoughts, feelings and inner conflicts. No previous art experience is needed and sessions can help with a range of issues, including: anxiety, stress, communication, HIV diagnosis and grief.

Benefits and Welfare Support

Positively UK’s Benefits Advice Team can help check users entitlements, supporting them to complete the necessary forms, and assisting them with contacting the Department of Work and Pensions and their local council. Providing much needed support to those that are experiencing difficulties navigating the system.

Work and Skills Training

THT’s personal development, work and skills programme is designed to support those living with HIV who are: unemployed and looking to apply for work, volunteering or further study; looking to build confidence through exploring their skills, strengths and opportunities; worried about their current job security and would like to discuss options; exploring a change in job or career after a period of self-reflection.

Community Events

The Bloomsbury Network provides a range of peer-led social events, providing safe and supportive spaces for you to meet and socialise. Supporting a reduction of both public-stigma and self-stigma, helping to tackle loneliness, and easing the isolation felt by so many after lockdown.

Beyond Diagnosis Course

The Bloomsbury Network’s Beyond Diagnosis Course is a three-day course for anyone who wants to come to terms with HIV, whether they were diagnosed many years ago or just last month. The Course is led by volunteers who are themselves living with HIV and areas covered include: disclosure; medication, side effects, drug interactions/resistance and managing adherence.

Educational Forums

The Bloomsbury Network’s Educational Forums are designed to provide the latest information on medical research, clinical developments and updates on psycho-social issues affecting people living with HIV. Each interactive session starts with a number of presentations followed by a panel of expert professionals answering questions from service users.

Participatory Workshops

Led by the Bloomsbury Network, these regular peer-led workshops explore a broad range of non-medical issues identified by service users and professionals in new and creative ways. Themes of past workshops include: Nutrition and HIV; Building Self-Esteem and Confidence; Telling Others; An Introduction to Meditation and Yoga; and Love, Sex and Relationships.

Eating Well

The Food Chain’s HIV Specialist Dietitians can provide one-to-one support with issues related to diet and nutrition, whether it be guidance about eating a healthy, balanced diet, wanting to lose weight or understanding how to better manage medication side effects.

Peer Support

Positively UK provides support across a range of issues such as understanding a new diagnosis, treatments, sexual health and supportive relationships. Peer Support Workers provide tailored one-to-one support, information, advocacy referrals and signposting, enabling people living with HIV to form meaningful and lasting connections with peers that have experienced similar challenges – while also helping to reduce loneliness and isolation.

Peer Mentor Training

Anyone living with HIV can train to become accredited Peer Mentors by completing Positively UK’s core training programme and an optional Open College Network Level Two qualification. Mentors are trained to provide support on a broad range of HIV-related issues and offered further professional development to specialise in specific areas such as group facilitation, living with co-morbidities, improving mental health, trans and non-binary awareness, substance misuse and immigration.