POZ Community Forums
Off Topic Forums => Off Topic Forum => Topic started by: violetsky22 on February 08, 2008, 05:20:03 am
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Hi everyone!
I'm very sorry if it's inappropriate to post this here, I'm just having so much trouble finding the information I'm looking for!
I'm nearing the end of a counselling diploma, and I'm interested in becomming an HIV counsellor.
It's a cause close to my heart and I'd like to be able to help in some small way.
The trouble is, I'm having trouble finding organisations to apply to!
The NHS careers website so far has been less than informative, and I'm waiting to hear back from the Terrance Higgins Trust to find out if there's anything suitable in my area.
Other than that, I'm fairly stumped!
If anybody has any suggestions, I'd be very grateful.
Once again, sorry if I'm intruding in the wrong place.
Thanks,
Violet
x
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Are you HIV+ yourself? If not, you're really not supposed to be posting here I believe.
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Hi Betty, no I'm not, and if that's the case I'll say thanks and look somewhere else. x
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Hi Violet,
THT is where I would have directed you without knowing where you are in the UK. If you could tell us your area, we may be able to give you some additional organisations to contact.
Betty, this thread is posted in Off Topic and it's ok, under the circumstances.
Ann
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Oh, sorry about that.
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Hi Ann,
Thanks for your reply.
I'm in North East England, if that helps any.
Violet
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I went to Aidsmap to try and find a few organisations in your area, but they've changed the way their database is set up. It would probably be easier if you had a look yourself.
http://www.aidsmap.com/cms1038779.asp
Use the two drop-down lists to refine your search - you can leave the first two boxes blank.
If you want to counsel people with hiv, I suggest you learn all you can about hiv first. The AIDSmeds Lessons (http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/Introduction_4702.shtml) would be an excellent place to start.
I really don't think it's something you can jump into without gaining some experience of relating to positive people first. A good way to gain experience would be to become a volunteer at an organisation. I belong to Sahir House in Liverpool and I know they have an excellent training program. You can find out more about Sahir House by going to their website:
http://www.sahir.uk.com/
Ann
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Thanks a lot Ann, that's great, I'll have a little look around it now.
I totally agree with you that some experience in a voluntary setting would be the best idea to gain some experience, and thats what I intend to do, but obviously it's been a bit of a catch 22 so far because I haven't known who to contact about it.
I've been reading up on the more 'clinical' side of HIV for a few months now, actually from the AIDSmeds website and several other places as well.
I have to tell you by the way, I think this place, the forums and the information sections are great. Very easy to understand and learn from.
So until I finish this course, I'm going to be doing all the reading I can to learn as much as possible, and then hopefully help out somewhere until I learn the ropes.
Thanks again for your help.
xx
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Violet,
You're welcome. It sounds as though you're going about things the right way... good luck! :)
Ann
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hey violet
whereabouts in the north east are you? depending on where you are i can provide you with some contacts.
PM me if you want
best wishes
xxxx
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Hi All,
Just wanted to let you know that I've had some luck tracking down some HIV support organisations in my area.
I contacted my local council and they were able to point me in the right direction.
Just wanted to tell you in case that's of any use to anybody else.
Anyway, thanks so much for your help so far, and I'm still open to any pearls of wisdom anybody else may have.
Hope you've had a nice weekend.
Violet
xx