The HIV Peer Support project provides emotional and practical support to people living with HIV/AIDS, by linking people up with other trained and experienced HIV-positive people.

Being HIV-positive can be an isolating and frightening experience for many people. Being newly diagnosed as HIV-positive, or having lived with HIV for a number of years, presents many challenges and uncertainties.

The HIV Peer Support Project can help resolve some of these problems as well as clarify your own feelings and thought. The HIV Peer Support Officer co-ordinates the project, and is the first point of contact for ay of the following programs.

The HIV Peer Support Officer is available to speak with HIV-positive people on a one-to-one basis over the telephone or in person. The HIV Peer Support Officer can provide advice and information on issues that may be affecting your health, lifestyle, and future. These can include: treatments, relationships, disclosure, self-confidence, friendships, sexuality, and other issues related to living with the virus.

Peer Support discussion groups are held regularly throughout the year. They are a great way of meeting new friends and sorting through some of the issues in a constructive way.

Discussion Groups meet weekly over a period of 6 to 10 weeks at various locations throughout Melbourne. The participants of the group select the topics for discussion & decide how much time will be spent on each.

Other discussion groups are conducted around a particular theme. These groups are usually more structured in their format.

The HIV Peer Support Project also runs a number of other activities, including social events and dinners, which are held every 2-3 months.

Please see the top right hand of this page for the contact details of the HIV Peer Support Officer.