Peer Support
The Positive Place provides a wide range of social and support groups for a variety of different communities.
What is Peer Support at The Positive Place?
Peer support for people living with HIV a chronic illness and with similar life experiences has proven to be tremendously important towards helping many move through difficult situations. In general, peer support has been defined by the fact that people who have like experiences can better relate and can consequently offer more authentic empathy and validation. It also provides people with similar lived experiences to offer each other practical advice and suggestions for strategies that health care professionals may not offer or even know about.
In peer support relationships it is important to remember that it is not our task to asses or evaluate each other but rather to say what we see (our perspective), what we feel, and what we need to build connection.
What standards do The Positive Place define as the helping relationship in peer support?
- Peer support promotes critical learning and re-naming of experiences
- The culture of peer support provides a sense of community
- There is great flexibility in the kinds of support provided by peers
- Peer support activities, meetings and conversations are instructive
- There is mutual responsibility across peer relationships
- Peer support is being clear about and setting limits
- Peer support involves high levels of safety
How do I join a peer support group?
For all of our groups, we suggest that you contact The Positive Place for an introductory informal chat. You can make an appointment to meet with a Peer Support worker to discuss any immediate concerns you have, or you can come along to a peer support group and register during the group session.
To help the registration process please remember to bring proof of diagnosis, for example, a letter from your consultant.
What if I'm uncomfortable joining a support group on my own?
If you are uncomfortable joining a peer support group, The Positive Place offers a mentoring scheme. Mentors are people who attend the group(s) you're interested in, have been HIV+ for at least two years, and have volunteered to offer you one-to-one support in making best use of the sessions. The mentor will show you round the space, talk you through the range of services on offer, and provide support in getting to know the others in the group. If you would like a mentor, please ring The Positive Place and ask for Becky.
Does The Positive Place offer anything just for people who are recently diagnosed?
In addition to the range of workshops and courses on offer with us, there are Recently Diagnosed Workshops at all our sites. These workshops offer a space to explore issues around diagnosis, treatment, disclosure of status and emotional and physical well-being. Lunch and crèche facilities are provided.
The Positive Place runs the following Peer Support Groups
African Group, Carribean Group, Deptford Open Group, Gay Men's Group and the Thornton Heath Group