Partners, friends and family helping?

posted: 04/05/2010

Many people with HIV get valuable help and encouragement from partners, friends, family, neighbours and others - just some of the 6 million carers in the UK. In Manchester alone, 55,000 carers provide unpaid support for a relative, friend or neighbour - so isn't it time that carers receive the support they need?
 

Coming Soon

There’s training, a support group, and a carers week event happening soon, other help and support for people who help their partner, friend, neighbour, workmate, or family member.
 

Free training for carers
The Lesbian and Gay Foundation are offering the Department of Health backed Caring with Confidence programme, which is in seven parts. You choose which of the three hour sessions you want to attend. For more information email Annie Emery, Caring with Confidence Project Manager, or ring her on 0161 235 8024

LGBT Carers support group and online in June
A new support group and interactive online forum are on their way to offer support and information to unpaid carers who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans in North West England. Launching in June 2010 - for more information about these services, call Manchester Carers Centre on 0161 835 4090.

Carers Week at Manchester Town Hall
Monday 14th June, 10.00am- 3.00pm, The Great Hall, Manchester Town Hall
The day will include over 80 carers service provider information stalls, carers assessments, live entertainment, pampering treatments, informative workshops, special guests and a free cream tea. All carers who register on the day will be entered into a free prize draw. For further information please contact Glenn Street on 0161 234 4254.
 

Manchester Carers information booklet      download the whole booklet here

This information has been written to provide essential information for carers and those who work with carers in Manchester. It is a tool with which every carer should be equipped in order to find out about their rights, vital services, benefits and much more. The information has been co-ordinated by Manchester City Council's Directorate for Adults and has been supported by the Carers Strategy Group. You can read the same information online here

Each Council provides services and support for Carers - check the Social Services / Adult Services part of your own local council's wesbite.

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Person Supporter?

posted: 06/04/2010

Do you provide support to someone, or does someone help support you? Partners, friends, neighbours, family and others, may be helping support people with HIV – and the people doing the supporting may themselves have HIV. Support means anything from collecting a prescription, to full time care of someone who is unable to look after themselves.
 

The LGBT Consortium of voluntary organisations is asking for the views and needs of LGBT people who are involved in supporting and caring for other people.
 

If you are an LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans) person with caring needs or responsibilities, they want to hear from you, no matter how little you may think you help.
 

Online LGBT Caring Survey, where you can talk about your experiences.
 

HIV people supporters

We know that there is a lot of informal caring and supporting going on around HIV - mainly friends and partners looking out for each other and giving a hand when it's needed. Many have HIV and are looking after other positive friends and mates. 

Your answers will help councils buy and provide better services for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans carers / people supporters. We are keen to make sure the needs of people looking after / supporting HIV positive lgbt people are counted - HIV is usually invisible in services for people who help support their partners and friends.

 
There are two questionnaires – one for the people doing the supporting and caring and one for the people getting the support and care.
Online LGBT Caring Survey, where you can talk about your experiences.
 

More about the survey www.lgbtconsortium.org.uk/carers
 

Friendship - Course for Gay Men

posted: 29/09/2008

On Saturday 22^nd November, the Lesbian and Gay Foundation in Manchester will be running the GMFA (Gay Men Fighting Aids) course ‘Friendships.’ This is a popular course for all gay men - including men living with HIV.

Living in a big city like Manchester can sometimes make it difficult to establish new friendships, and the course will cover a variety of topics including:

• What is friendship?
• Starting a friendship
• Friendships and sex
• HIV exposure and transmission
• Maintaining friendships
• Ending friendships and letting go

The day will consist of a variety of exercises with the overall objectives of:

1. Discussing and exploring the role of friendships and the impact they have in our lives
2. Exploring, discussing and developing an understanding of our needs around friendships
3. Increasing our knowledge and developing skills that enable us to build and maintain friendships that support our mental and sexual health needs.
4. Increasing our knowledge about HIV exposure, transmission and prevention in relation to oral, anal and other sexual practises.
5. Having fun and meeting a variety of new people.

The course will last between 10am – 17:00 and will take place at the LGF offices based in Princess House, Princess Street, Manchester, M1 6DD. 

Unfortunately, food will not be provided for this course. However, there are a variety of food outlets located near the office, and please feel free to bring a packed lunch if this is more suitable! This course is free.

To book a place on the Friendships course please email nathanp@lgf.org.uk with these details:

Your name, email address, telephone number, first part of your post code and where you found out about this course. You will then receive a confirmation email, confirming your place on this course.  Alternatively, you could phone Nathan on 0161 235 8002 to book your place.