The Zhoosh! Brighton Blog
HIV Support & Activity Groups in Brighton & Hove
Although HIV is rarely in the news these days, it is still a big issue, particularly in Brighton, a town that has the highest rate of HIV+ infection outside of London; this is reflected in the many HIV+ support groups on offer, these include:
Lunch Positive, a group run by volunteers, offering a three course lunch every Friday, to all those living with HIV. Doors open at midday for tea coffee and a chat, with Lunch served from 1pm. A three course lunch costs £1.50. New members can either be referred by agencies that work in HIV, or by self referral. Most Fridays Lunch Positive have invited to guest from other organisations to offer advice on issues around HIV, healthy eating and well-being. Throughout the year Lunch Positive run healthy eating and cookery events as well as get involved with many of the LGBT/HIV community events. For more information on how to join Lunch Positive, or to get involved as a volunteer please visit: www.lunchpositive.org.
You can read more about Lunch Positive in my previous blog post when I went to visit them. Click here
Outdoor Positive is a peer led walking group for all those living with HIV and their carers. Throughout the year Outdoor Positive list a range of walking events, from gentle strolls around Brighton’s parks, to longer walks taking in the East Sussex countryside. Outdoor Positive also organise stationary events for those who have mobility problems; meeting up on Brighton Sea front for the, Harley Davison Convention, Vintage Car Rally, Burning of the Clocks. For further details on how to get involved with Outdoor Positive and to check out their next event please visit: www.outdoorpositive.org
You can find out more about Outdoor Positive when I visited them for a previous blog post here
Peer Action, a new group for people over 45 of age living with HIV+ diagnoses. Peer Action’s members come together and support each other through community events, visits to the theater and Gala Bingo Hall. On December the 10th Peer Action joins forces with Outdoor Positive and Lunch Positive to bring together all members for a Fun Quiz Night. In the New Year, Peer Action hope to offer Holistic Therapies and yoga classes and are actively seeking those qualified to help expand their services. If you would like to offer your services or get please visit, peeraction.co.uk
MindOut, a mental health service run by and for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people, are now running a new group on a Friday morning for people living with an HIV+ diagnoses to come together and share their mental health issues. For more information on MindOut and how to access their servicers please visit: www.mindout.org.uk
Terrence Higgins Trust is a national organization providing a wealth of information on HIV, health, and information on benefits as well as offering counselling and support groups. For more information please visit: www.tht.org.uk/contactus/southeast
You can find out more about the groups and services at THT in my previous post here
