Positive Living BC has launched a new online peer support group called Online Connec+ for people living with HIV (PLHIV). Online Connec+ will provide HIV education, support and community referrals to people throughout the province who might otherwise be unable to access these services.
Online Connec+ will be facilitated by Positive Living BC’s Peer Navigators. A Peer Navigator is an HIV-positive person trained in HIV-specific health issues, self care, safer sex, sexually transmitted infections, and disease progression. Navigators offer a valuable perspective on managing HIV based on their personal experience with the illness, training and their experience working with other PLHIV.
Program leader Michael Crate notes, “Online Connec+ was started as a natural extension of the Peer Navigator program. The group will be an open format meeting. We will talk about what is currently going on for participants in relation to their HIV diagnosis. This might include health, treatment or self-care issues, stigma, isolation, disclosure, or dating. Peer Navigators will be there to facilitate the group, or do one-on-one counseling.” Elgin Lim, Positive Living BC’s manager of programs and services adds, “Living with HIV can be isolating, particularly in smaller communities. Online Connec+ can help people feel less alone, allow people to share experiences, and provide an opportunity to make new connections with other people living with HIV, no matter where they are in the province.”
Online Connec+ is open to anyone living with HIV in BC. All genders, sexualities and ages are welcome. The group will meet twice a month on Monday night from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. For more information or to participate, call Positive Living BC’s toll-free number (1-800-994-2437) and leave a confidential voicemail, or email Michael Crate at michaelc@positivelivingbc.org.
We have received the following notice from The British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability (BCANDS):
Event notification: BCANDS 2015 Vancouver Island Aboriginal Disability and Wellness Gathering
LOCATION: Victoria, British Columbia VENUE: To Be Determined / In Development DATE: December 2015 (Tentatively) – 3 Days
With support from the Island Health Authority (IHA) – Aboriginal Health, the BCANDS 2015 Vancouver Island Disability and Wellness Gathering seeks to bring together Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal disability and health stakeholders, community and organizational leadership, governments and service providers from across the Island Health Authority and beyond, over a three day period.
The broad goals of this Gathering are to: share information; raise awareness of current Aboriginal health and disability conditions; identify available resources / programs; and to create new partnerships and collaboration’s within, and between, the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal health and disability sectors operating within the Island Health Authority and externally.
The 2015 Aboriginal Disability and Wellness Gathering will be the first of its kind within the Island Health Authority and British Columbia and will incorporate a number of disability and health related themes, priorities and opportunities as it relates to Aboriginal children, youth, adults, and their families, who live with a disability(s) and reside within First Nation communities and the urban and rural centres within the Island Health Authority.
Initial planning is now underway including the development of sponsorship opportunities, tradeshow opportunities, registration fees, session speakers, etc. Information will be updated to the BCANDS website: www.bcands.bc.ca as the planning for the Gathering moves forward.
If you, your organization or community are interested in supporting / attending this first-ever event as a registered participant, sponsor, or tradeshow vendor and would like to receive further information by email, please email us at: accessibility@bcands.bc.ca or to speak with the BCANDS Projects Coordinator please call: (250) 381 7303 – Ext: 207 or toll free at 1 888 815 5511 – Ext: 207.
Help us make this a successful Gathering and plan to attend and support this much needed and ground breaking event!!
We apologize in advance for any cross postings you may receive in relation to the 2015 BCANDS Gathering. Thank you!
Ahead of the 2026 Vancouver Election on October 17, the Vancouver Election Office is sharing their accessible voting supports. Supports include: - Voting places accessible
Positive Living BC has launched a new online peer support group called Online Connec+ for people living with HIV (PLHIV). Online Connec+ will provide HIV education, support and community referrals to people throughout the province who might otherwise be unable to access these services.
