Here we take look at Positive Action South West (PASW). A well established HIV support charity based in Exeter that has been providing an important service provision for Devon, Somerset and North Cornwall area for several years.

Positive Action South West provides confidential and free HIV and sexual health services for people living with HIV. their carers, partners and family members:

• one-to-one and group support
• specialist information and advice
• complementary therapies
• telephone help line

These services are provided at their centres in Exeter and Torquay, also at weekly outreach clinics in Plymouth and Taunton, and once a month in Glastonbury. There is a weekly evening session at Exeter. They can also provide support and complementary therapies to people in hospital and at home.

One-to-One and Group Support.

If you are living with HIV you may w!sh to talk through aspects of your health and life circumstances in a safe and confidential place. It might help to explore your support needs and how PASW can help you. To do this, one-to-one appointments with a support worker can be made at a time and place which best suits you. They can also accompany you to social and health care appointments. You can also come along to their drop-ins and meet others who are living with HIV.

Complementary Therapies.

The complementary therapy service at Positive Action South West helps people living with HIV to achieve and maintain good physical and mental health. In particular, reduction of their stress levels has a real health benefit for our service users. All therapists at Positive Action South West are qualified to a recognised national standard. The range of therapies they provide includes:

• stress management advice/counselling
• aromatherapy massage
• acupuncture
• reflexology
• shiatsu

Specialist information and advice.

Up-to-date and accurate information about HIV can help you to make well informed decisions about the many aspects of your life. These can include:

• starting and maintaining combination drug treatments
• considering safer sex issues
• dealing with housing and benefits issues and problems
• exploring dietary and nutritional options

Social Activities

Regular social events are organised throughout the year, giving people a chance to mix and to share ideas.

Specialist Helpline.

The freefone Helpline (0800 328 494441) at Positive Action South West provides telephone support and advice about pre-and-post-HIV test issues, safer sex, social care matters and general concerns about sexual health.

HIV Testing.

Every week staff from the ABC clinic in Exeter provide confidential and free HIV testing at PASW' centre at Palace Gatehouse, Exeter. You may want to contact them to discuss your concerns before making the decision to have a test. If you do wish to have a test you will need to book an appointment.

Other services at Positive Action South West include:

Education and Training Services.

PASW provides a range of education and training events to meet the needs of individuals and organisations requiring specialist HIV/AIDS and sexual health training.

Lesbian/Gay/Bi-sexual (LGB) Health Project.

The LGB Health Project for North and East Devon Health Authority is based at Positive Action South West. It responds to the sexual health needs of men and women with same sex attraction, including people who may not identify as lesbian or gay. You may contact this health project directly on: 01392 494539.

Can you help PASW?

Positive Action South West is a registered charity, 1003367 and is dependant on grants, voluntary contributions and members fundraising efforts, and relies heavily on the generous support of many people. If you can spare them some time as a volunteer or assist them with the cost of providing our services they will be delighted to hear from you.

Confidentiality.

All the work at Positive Action South West is governed by a clear and comprehensive confidentiality policy, a copy of which is available on request.

How to find PASW?

From the M5- Come off at Junction 30 and follow the signs to the city centre. At the end of the A3051 (Topsham Road) there is a large junction with the Southgate Hotel on it. Travel straight across this junction, onto South Street. Palace Gate is the first turning on the right off South Street, opposite the White Hart Pub. Travelling up Palace Gate PASW are the big building with the arch in it, straight ahead of you. Their front door is under the arch on the left. they have our own car park at the back of the building. Drive under the arch and turn left immediately.

From the A30 and A38- Follow the signs for the City Centre and Cathedral.At the big junction at the top ofWestern Way (with the Southgate Hotel on it) turn left into South Street. Palace Gate is the first turning on the right off South Street, opposite the White Hart Pub.

You can locate PASW by clicking here for a map and locator, that can also be printed, by entering the post code within the multimap site.

Positive Action South West
Palace Gatehouse, Palace Gate, Exeter EX1 1HX
Tel: 01392 494441. Fax: 01392 436097.
Help line: 0800 328 3508 (freefone)
e-mail: info@devonaids.freeserve.co.uk
Website: www.pasw.org.uk