living with hiv

Need someone to talk to?
If you are HIV positive and living in Powys, then PALS is able to offer you
some support: you may request regular contact from one of our volunteers -
this might include visits or phone contact, emotional and practical support,
information on treatments and side-effects, legal and benefit rights, advocacy...
someone who knows about HIV... someone you can talk to in confidence.

Because we are a small volunteer-based organisation, trying to support
people across Powys, it may be that we do not have a volunteer living
near enough to you to be available to visit. However, we can always offer
support over the phone or by e-mail, and can put you in touch with other
people who are living with HIV, via our Peer Support group

Positive Peer Support
Our Peer Support group enables you to meet other people living with HIV
in Powys. We meet a couple of times a year for a residential weekend, and
occasionally for a meal out or other informal social event. Some members
choose to meet and keep in touch with each other at other times.

Our peer support work is grant-aided by the Peter Moores Foundation
and by a Health Small Grant via PAVO.

Need information?
Our development worker, Gill Bradbury, has a resource library of books,
leaflets and other information about HIV/Aids and is also able to help you
to find the information you need on the internet.

Need help accessing services?
We're in contact with HIV clinics in Cardiff, Swansea, Wrexham, Shrewsbury
and Hereford. We work closely with Terrence Higgins Trust and other
voluntary service providers who offer support - such as 'drop-in' groups -
in or near those clinics. We can help you find the right service for you.

We're also in contact with people in Powys Local Health Board, Public Health,
Social Services, Benefits, Citizens Advice Bureaux, Powys Drug & Alcohol,
Powys Carers and other statutory and voluntary service providers here in Powys,
and are willing to take up issues with any of them on your behalf.

For more information...
about any aspect of HIV, you may wish to contact one of these helplines:

THT Direct 0845 122 1200 - Terrence Higgins Trust is the UK's biggest
HIV and AIDS charity and will give information, advice and support over
the phone, if you have any questions or concerns about HIV.
Mon-Fri 10am-10pm, weekends 12 noon-6pm.