The power of peer support in treatment of people living with HIV

Abigail Chakanyuka ICN/JS

Pastoral Support Worker Abigail Chakanyuka gave the following address at a symposium celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Catholics for AIDS Prevention and Support (CAPS) in Stockwell on 15 June.

POWER OF PEER SUPPORT

Peer support plays a key role on treatment for people living with HIV. Sharing lived experience is helpful for people living with HIV in that, we learn from each other's experience, and it also gives us HOPE looking at our peers who have been diagnosed earlier on doing well/looking well. We make friends with people who relate with our own frame of reference so we can share this UNFAMILIAR new feeling we get when diagnosed.

I remember my very first days of my diagnosis feeling very lonely, because I had no one to talk to about how I felt even though my family was there and very supportive WE LIVED IN DIFFERENT WORLDS.

One day I visited my clinic for blood tests, I remember sitting in a corner reading notices and posters on the wall quietly. There was one which caught my eyes, YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS SITUATION, COME & JOIN OTHERS IN THE SAME SITUATION. I convinced myself that, this is what I need. I took the telephone number and thought to myself I'll call them as soon as I leave this clinic.

Going for Peer Support the first time.

On my very first day to the Peer Support Group Meeting, I remember feeling uncertain and thinking what have I done to myself??? With HIV diagnosis you learn to self-protect and self-preservation becomes very important, FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN.

Here I was, received with a WARM WELCOME from a woman who told me she was also living with HIV.

She took me into the room where the meeting was held. There were many people in the room, who were also living with HIV. They looked well and this gave me HOPE and I thought to myself, One day I will be like them. I felt a sense of belonging. It was easy to open up and share our STORIES OF HOPE. I remember sharing one of the side effects of one tablet called Effeverence (SUSTIVA) - giving us vivid dreams. That one was classic!!!!!

Among other things we share was our Faith, My faith really kept me going. I got my healing from my God. Please remember Healing is not CURE. To me healing is coming to terms with my diagnosis and receive peace within myself which surpasses all understanding.

Giving Back.

When I had received the support that I needed

I grew in confidence. I wanted to GIVE SOMETHING BACK.

As a qualified therapist, I VOLUNTEERED to provide complimentary therapies for members of the group. From there I BECAME AN ACTIVIST in other ways. I helped as a Trainer in the newly diagnosed groups and I volunteered as an outreach worker, visiting in clinics and hospitals, and encouraging other PLWH.

Empowered.

All this experience eventually resulted in my being appointed to my current role as the Pastoral Support Worker for CAPS.

In this role I facilitate the Positive Faith peer support groups. WE WELCOME everyone just as they are; WE LISTEN to each other's stories and experiences and WE ENCOURAGE each other.

WE share knowledge and SIGNPOST to other services and WE ACCOMPANY each other when needed, to visit the clinic or to an advice agency for example, the Job Centre for completion of forms such as PIP forms.

I'm grateful to CAPS who has invested in my development. I have just completed two years of Counselling skills training, which has helped me to grow as a person and develop my skills in this role.

But I say, WE, because it is not me, alone. In the Positive Faith peer support groups, WE do these things in different ways, according to our skills, with and for each other.

I still learn from others. You never stop learning, and others learn from me too.

Summary.

To finish, I want to share a short passage from Scripture. I keep it on my fridge door at home because it encourages me. It sums up much of my journey but also the experience of many PLWH and how peer support helps us.

When we get our diagnosis,

2 Corinthians 4 v 8, 9

We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair, persecuted but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed.

Its time to RISE and Shine Together we can make it!!!!!

Thank You for listening.

LINK

For more information, visit: www.positivefaith.org.uk