Helping PLHIV get back to work
Image: Picture: Ann-Marie Calilhanna
NSW Health workers are excited to be launching a new initiative which help people living with HIV (PLHIV) to get back into the workforce and they’re on the lookout for more people to get involved.
In May this year a number of community organisations and community leaders came together to create the HIV Work Ready strategy.
The aim of the strategy is to assist people living with long term HIV to return to work, because according to NSW Health, enabling PLHIV to participate in paid or unpaid work has the potential to create a meaningful and positive impact on their lives.
“HIV Work Ready is underpinned by a using supported employment approach i.e., all participants who enter the pilot of the project will ideally be supported with a case manager/case worker, 1-1 mentorship and be offered group peer support to fulfil their employment goals,” said David Murray, Program Manager HIV Outreach Team.
“Our vision is to assist people living with HIV who may be disadvantaged or marginalised achieve an optimal sense of wellbeing and self-worth.”
From its launch on August 1, the HIV Work Ready program will new pilot project in the Sydney metro area.
It is sponsored by ViiV Healthcare and run by Positive Life NSW in partnership with the HIV Outreach Team, with support from other key HIV and NGO services including the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation, Positive Central and ACON. The program is based on a Hub and Spoke model – key HIV support services act as a referral Hub to various Spoke sponsors who offer opportunities for mentorship, volunteer placements, training and possibly paid work. Employment opportunities will be offered by various community and NGO organisations – for voluntary placements and possibly paid work – and the WISE employment agency for paid work.
If you or somebody you know is interested in talking to someone about the program please or if you are an employer who may be wanting to give PLHIV the opportunity to do some form of volunteer or paid work, please contact Neil Fraser, Project Officer, HIV Work Ready, Positive Life. Ph: 9206 2172.
