Through this grant awarded through the AIDS Support Capital Grant Scheme Kernow Positive Support (KPS) are now proposing to complete the range of services we provide to the HIV community by establishing a National Residential Retreat, Respite, Education and Training Centre, including a temporary accommodation solution for those within the Southwest peninsula with housing related needs (Known at this time as ‘The Project').  This will be the first facility of its kind in the UK. Through our work with people with HIV we have recognised a need not only for people to have the opportunity to come to terms with this debilitating illness by attending a respite and retreat centre, there is also a need to improve HIV awareness through training opportunities to the public and professionals alike. For further details about this exciting project click here to download an Acrobat PDF Document. You can also read about this project in the December 2009 - World AIDS Day edition by clicking on Our Newsletter adjacent.

Take a look at our computer generated 3D virtual tour of the Project. There are two short walkthroughs of the Ground Floor and First Floor by clicking on these highlighted links. The .wmv files may take a while to download (approx 12Mb). We hope to be able to have these as streaming files shortly.

For further details about respite and retreat click here.

The Kernow Positive Support (KPS) Housing Officer (Anthony Basnett) has compiled an extensive draft strategy document regarding HIV and the housing needs of people living with HIV here in Cornwall. You can download this PDF document by clicking here. KPS will be pleased to hear your comments and/or further suggestions regarding this important document. You can send your comments/suggestions to us at housing@kpsdirect.com or alternatively by telephone on 01872 262221. Postal address details of which are available by clicking on the 'Contact Us' button adjacent.

It is with great sadness Kernow Positive Support (KPS) announces the untimely death of one of our founding trustees William Vincent Sloan (Bill). Bill, although living with HIV for over 18 years was diagnosed with an aggressive and untreatable cancer of an unknown primary in early November 2008 and passed away at his home in Bodmin on the 28 th November 2008. This issue of @KPS is dedicated to his memory and a tribute to Bill and the legacy he leaves behind appearin our special tribute edition of @KPS (see back issues of our newsletters)..

KPS arranges regular monthly 'Women's Support Meetings' for all women affect/infected by HIV in Cornwall. This new exciting initiative gives those who are affected by HIV an opportunity to meet one another in a confidential and safe environment and is facilitated by a KPS registered counsellor. Our meetings are held at the KPS Resource Centre in Truro every 3rd Thursday of each month at 11.30am (Refreshments are provided). If you would like further information on forthcoming meetings please contact the KPS Resource Centre on 01872 262221 during normal office hours. People who registered with the G.U.M Clinics in Truro and Derriford, can also obtain full details about these meetings by contacting the clinic health advisors. So, if you would like to come along, get in touch...

NAT 'Benefit News'

Supporting people living with HIV

The website www.dipex.org/hiv allows people to watch video clips and listen to real patients as they talk about their experience of living with HIV.

It has been developed by City University London, working with the DIPEx charity; Homerton University Hospital; the Centre for Sexual Health and HIV Research at UCL; Camden PCT; Oxford University and a number of community organisations. To create the HIV website researchers at City University interviewed 50 people living with HIV from around the UK. The sample reflects the diversity of the HIV patient population in the UK and includes gay men as well as people from African communities.

Dr Damien Ridge, an experienced qualitative researcher conducted the interviews which explored the participants' experience of HIV infection including their diagnosis, use of services, disclosure of their HIV status, stigma and discrimination Their accounts are freely available as video and audio “clips” 24-hours a day on the new HIV website ww.dipex.org/hiv . These are supported by explanatory text, answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ), as well as signposts to support groups and other resources.

Professor Jonathan Elford, of City University, who led the research said: “HIV remains a highly stigmatised illness despite treatment advances. In 2005, there were over 7000 new diagnoses of HIV in the UK. Not surprisingly people with HIV often feel anxious and can be afraid of asking professionals and support groups for help".

“Being able to hear the stories of other people with HIV on the Internet can give hope, a sense of not being alone, and provide helpful advice. These first hand accounts will also give relatives, friends and health care professionals – as well as the wider public – a better understanding of what people with HIV go through.”

City University's St Bartholomew School of Nursing & Midwifery funded the study with additional support from the Department of Health,  G aydar and the Terrence Higgins Trust.

To develop the website the researchers worked with the following community groups and organisations: African HIV Research Forum, African HIV Policy Network, Black Health Agency Manchester, George House Trust Manchester, UK Coalition of People Living with HIV & AIDS, Terrence Higgins Trust, London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard, Manchester Lesbian and Gay Foundation, Action on Gay Men's Health, Gaydar and Gay.com.

HIV driving people into extreme poverty in the UK

On World AIDS Day, 1 December, Crusaid and the National AIDS Trust launched a report into the rising numbers of people living with HIV in extreme poverty in the UK.

This report, launched to MPs at the House of Commons on World AIDS Day, highlights the effect of stigma and discrimination in driving people living with HIV into poverty. Hate crime and discrimination not only have a damaging effect on the physical and mental health of people living with HIV, but can also lead to isolation and poverty. Recent research shows that a third of people living with HIV have experienced discrimination.

You can download an Acrobat PDF copy of the report here.

The report calls for action in tackling the root causes of poverty among people living with HIV, including addressing high levels of hate crime, unemployment and poor housing among people living with HIV. You can view further details about this from Crusaid

KPS arranges regular monthly 'Peer Support Meeting' for all those living with HIV in Cornwall. This initiative gives those who are HIV-positive an opportunity to meet one another in a confidential and safe environment. Our meetings are held at the KPS Resource Centre in Truro where refreshment and a light lunch is provided. If you would like further information on forthcoming meetings please contact the KPS Help line on 01208 264866 and/or via our office on 01872 262221. People who registered with the G.U.M Clinics in Truro and Derriford, can also obtain full details about these meetings by contacting the clinic health advisors. So, if you would like to come along, get in touch...

KPS has also booked the following dates for further Peer Support Meetings:

Check with the KPS Office on 01872 262221

You can find out more about this support initiative by clicking here.

Click here for Kernow Positive Support's definative Annual Report & Accounts that are now available online NOW in Acrobat PDF format. Our 2007/8 (1st April-31st March 2008) draft financial statement will be available shortlyupon request.

KPS has revised our regular Drop-in Advice and Support Clinic (by refferral and/or appointment) for those affected/infected every Tuesday and Wednesday from 10am - 4.30pm at the KPS Resource Centre. The clinic is held in walking distance from the GUM Clinic. Please call 01872 262221 or 01208 264866 for further details.

If you would like further information this new and exciting initiative from KPS please contact the KPS Help line on 01208 264866. People who registered with the G.U.M Clinics in Truro and Derriford, can also obtain full details about our new Support and Advice Service by contacting the clinic health advisors and/or your HIV specialist Link Social Workers. So, if you would like to come along, get in touch...

Every Tuesday and Wednesday 10am - 4pm (KPS Resource Centre)

You can find out more about the Post Graduate Centre Drop-in initiative by clicking here.