Online Peer Support for People Living with HIV

Did you know that Sahir House runs an online peer support group via Zoom every Friday?

This is a group for people living with HIV across the Liverpool City Region. It was originally set up during the COVID pandemic lockdown.  The group has regular attendees who have been incredibly supportive to one another throughout the lockdown and beyond. Read on to find out more from our volunteer group facilitator, Ash Charlton;

“Hi there, I’m Ash and welcome to our Friday drop-in group! It’s a peer support group for people living with HIV, though we chat about all sorts.  It’s my privilege to facilitate the group introducing lots of different conversational topics such as housing, health, family, HIV stigma etc.

The group is always supportive and willing to listen. For each session I suggest a discussion topic, group exercise, or a fun meditation. The aim is to increase wellbeing and reduce loneliness.

For example, the group discussed coping with grief and loss, and another time we shared appreciations: people said what they liked and appreciated about each group member.

I started volunteering with Sahir after a bad experience with homophobia and racism. It has been an incredibly healing experience to do something useful with such a wonderful group of people.”

If you would like to join this online group or to find out more please email info@sahir.org.uk

Read this brilliant article written by Ash as he reflects on World AIDS Day.

https://www.diversityrolemodels.org/news/surviving-the-epidemic-a-64-year-old-s-reflection-on-world-aids-day