Positively UK Logo
Search
We are educating Logo - Positively UK

Take Control, Learn, Connect!

Recently Diagnosed Workshop

by Ewan Summersbey

Since I started working at Positively UK, I think one of the most rewarding pieces of work I’ve done is to be part of the team that delivers our Recently Diagnosed Workshop. I’ve been living with HIV for twelve years. It’s easy for me to forget the feelings of shock, fear, disbelief and confusion that often come with being told that you have HIV.

Working with people to help them come to terms with their HIV diagnosis and know that, it’s all about living with HIV, is a privilege. It’s true that being on treatment means that you really can live as long and as healthily as someone that doesn’t have HIV. It’s true that having an undetectable viral load mean you can’t pass HIV on. However, none of that means that when you first find out, you won’t have lots of very different and sometimes difficult emotions. You will, and that’s natural.

That’s why we do workshops for people that have recently found out that they are living with HIV. The workshops are always facilitated by people living with HIV. You don’t have to explain to us about having HIV. We know what it’s like, even if our personal experiences are different to yours. Taking the time to work out your emotions is important. We spend time talking about what your diagnosis has meant for you. We explore what telling other people about your HIV really means. Lots of people come with the question, “Do I have to tell other people?”. We work that out with you. We look at your treatment and how to manage it. Some of our staff and volunteers are now treatment advocates, so we can answer lots of your questions. We even talk a bit about sex and relationships!

We call the Workshop ‘Take Control, Learn, Connect’. It’s a perfect name because we want you to be in control of your HIV and not the other way round. We hope that you will learn both in terms of information and in terms of tips. Perhaps most importantly, we want you to connect. Connection is so important. Some people with HIV end up feeling isolated. This workshop is just one way to break the isolation. In fact, we offer participants to be part of a WhatsApp group just for the people that attended their workshop. Many participants take up that offer and have both given and received support through it. One group we worked with recently now meet socially on a regular basis. True new friendships have been formed, and that’s been great to watch.

 

Launch of 'We Are Positive'

If you wonder if a Recently Diagnosed Workshop is for you, this is what some previous participants have said:

‘I often doubt myself, but to hear you say that you believe I’ve got this, gives me a fire and fight to be even more determined to make this work for me!’

‘A massive thank you for everything the Positively UK team did for me over the weekend, it was truly life-changing and I have left the weekend feeling completely inspired and motivated to continue to hit my goals.’

So if you’ve been diagnosed any time in the last three years and feel like you need some support, why not come along? I know I speak on behalf of the delivery team when I say we’d love to meet you and help you to take control of your HIV, and hopefully make some life long connections.

The workshop takes monthly at Positively UK. Please reserve your place at info@positivelyuk.org or 02077130444.  

Positively UK Logo

Thank YOU FOR SIGNING UP

Thank you for signing up for the Positively UK Newsletter! We publish our round-up of the latest HIV-related events and news articles straight to your inbox!