Positive Options are the services and opportunities provided by DHIVERSE for people living with HIV, and those affected by HIV infection in Cambridgeshire and the surrounding areas. All of our services are free of charge. Positive Options is a fully confidential service: no one will be told that you have contacted us unless you ask us to do so.
Do you sometimes feel alone with HIV? Would you like to meet other positive people? Want to relax and not worry about people finding out about your HIV status?
Positive Options includes regular drop-ins and peer support meetings.
Social events and meetings are held regularly and are organised by positive people for positive people, with DHIVERSE contributing to expenses. Previous occasions have included meals out, walks, music, festivals and ten-pin bowling. New people are always welcome.
Positive Options is a partner in the regional network of people with HIV, The Positive Living Project East Anglia (PLPEA). PLPEA meetings are rotated around the three counties of Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire every two months, and offer the chance to meet a wider group of positive people to share experiences, concerns and information. Normally the group meets in a secure and confidential place for a while, to be followed by a meal or other social activity. PLPEA covers the costs of meals and contributes towards travel.
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You may have just been diagnosed HIV positive, have had HIV for some time, or someone close to you may have HIV. Sometimes it can help to talk with someone who is living with HIV themselves. Please get in touch if you would like to talk to someone in complete confidence, either face to face or on the phone.
Contact Us >Following recent pilot funding Positive Options now includes an advice and advocacy project. We are currently seeking funding to ensure that this valuable project is able to expand and continue. DHIVERSE can provide advice and support around a wide range of issues, such as benefits, housing or employment. If you choose, we can also refer you to specialist agencies.
Access to the internet and to our library is available. If you choose we can arrange for the latest HIV magazines to be delivered to your door, or you can read them at our centres.
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Some people with HIV find that complementary therapies help to deal with stress and with effects of HIV and treatments.
These include aromatherapy, massage, Chinese herbal medicines, acupuncture, and reflexology, to name but a few. Lifestyle itself is paid close attention: diet, relaxation and stress-reduction are of importance both in the prevention and management of illness. DHIVERSE can offer or contribute to funding for complementary therapy sessions for people living with HIV in Cambridgeshire and some surrounding areas.
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From time to time people with HIV can find themselves in particular hardship. It may be because you have been unable to work due to illness for example. DHIVERSE operates a hardship fund that is open to people living with HIV in Cambridgeshire and a separate fund for the counties that surround Cambridgeshire.
You can either apply directly to our fund or through a professional referral from your consultant, clinical nurse or social worker. This fund makes grants and loans to help with household bills and other essential items. It can also make small emergency payments in situations of urgent need. Applications must be in writing.
Unfortunately there are always more requests for funding than there are available funds. We cannot provide grants or loans once allocated funds for a particular year have been expended.
If you want to make an application to the Positive Support Fund please contact the Positive Options Team for an application form, either or telephone 01223 508805 .
Forms can be returned by post, in person or by fax to our Cambridge Office . All information will be treated in the strictest of confidence.
DHIVERSE can apply for a grant for you from the national Crusaid Hardship Fund. This grant is discretionary and although we will support you with the paperwork, the decision on whether to pay is made by Crusaid. You do not have to be on benefits to apply, but if your weekly income is higher than Crusaid's top limit you will not get help. Ask us for more details of Crusaid's current rules.
DHIVERSE can apply for you for help from the Children with AIDS Charity Hardship Fund. They can give grants for essential items and expenses relating to children (clothes, bedding, bills etc). We also have contacts with a number of other local funds that can sometimes provide help.
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Our team of volunteers may be able to help out with practical issues such as gardening or shopping if you are not able to do it yourself, or without a hand.
Our services are always developing and improving,
if there is something you think that we should be providing please get
in touch
Maybe you are HIV positive or have a friend or family member who is living with HIV, or maybe you are a carer supporting someone with HIV/AIDS.
Why not get in touch and find out more about Positive Options. Our services are totally confidential and no one will know that you have made contact.
Follow this link to contact us by email.
Alternatively you can phone our Positive Options Team: 01223 508806.
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