European Social Fund in England

Positive action South West positive about learning

There are approximately 1,700 HIV positive people living in the South West region. Last year there were approximately 150 new HIV infections recorded in the region, a 15% rise on the previous year.

This £60,000 project is enabling 85 HIV positive individuals across Devon to reassess their learning and employment options for the future as drug treatments change HIV from a terminal illness to a manageable one. Over the last 4-5 years medications have significantly improved people's life expectancy and quality of life and this has provided new life options for HIV positive people. However, they also may have long gaps in their work history, lack of confidence in entering education or employment, a need to update their skills, or a need to retrain due to changing physical abilities.

Participants are supported both individually and in groups by an Education Support Worker to address psychological barriers to their development, create plans for the future, ensure inclusion in mainstream education to update their skills and retrain to enter a new employment market.

The project offers financial benefits to facilitate participation in learning including travel expenses and childcare costs, and particularly assists those who are isolated in rural areas.

Project staff are also able to mediate with learning organisations and provide awareness-raising training for partners to ensure they are aware of the issues their clients face.

The project has run from the 8th March 2004 and is due to complete on the 31st December 2005.