Helping others

[MattManc]

I've now been living with HIV for 3 years, been adherent with meds, keep myself active and healthy. I went to my route appointment and my doctor had set me up to meet with a George House trust mentor. When I was diagnosed and many of you may have been told(in the UK) about George House trust and how they can support you from counseling to financial help.

I'll soon be training to become a mentor!!

Like for many, initial diagnosis was very hard. It hit like a sledgehammer and took a while for it to sink in and think nothing's really changed, especially being medicated within a couple of month of diagnosis.

That's the control and empowerment I want to give back to those who are struggling with diagnosis, obviously not to lay down what people should or shouldn't do, but to listen, advise on specific issues to persons.

I've always wanted to help others, not necessarily with HIV, but in society as a whole and now I think I've found my calling helping and being support.

This site is amazing for that anyway, and people have talked about some complex situations.

Anyway, just wanted to share some good news, take care guys x

[pauldecle Partner ForumLink]

Dear Matt,

I am delighted to read your post both for your comments on this the HIV Partners community and your thoughts about peer support.

It is great that you are going to do the peer support training. Are you training as part of the Project 100? I know that the George House Trust are one of a growing number of Project 100 partner organisations.

If anyone else is interested in training to become a peer support volunteer then check out the Positively UK's web site: positivelyuk.org/project-100/

For the sake of transparency, I am a trustee at Positively UK, Project 100 is a three year initiative that we have developed to train 1,000 peer support volunteers throughout the UK in the hope that every person in the UK who is living with HIV can, if they wish, access high quality peer support through a network of well trained and supported peer support volunteers.

The peer support training can be accessed though a number of HIV support organisation (like the George House Trust) across the UK or directly through Positively UK, again see the website.

I have had some very rewarding experiences and met some wonderful people through the peer support work I have done over the years since my diagnoses. Matt, I hope you also have similar experiences and I wish you all the very best with this new endeavour.

Please let us all know how you get on.

With the kindest regards,

Paul.

[MattManc in reply to pauldecle]

Hi Paul,

I'm not sure if I'm part of the 100 you mentioned, this was very much out of the blue, coordinated by my HIV Dr.

To be honest I didn't use the George House Trust services for those dealing with HIV.

Though feeling quite low at diagnosis, I was determined to live a normal life. I used my job as an escape and it distracted me from constantly thinking about it. I also had family support and I understand that many find it difficult to let their loved ones know of their diagnosis.

I'm looking forward to the new prospects and meeting people within the support networks, I'll definitely keep you posted on here!!