I have enjoyed coming to this group, I really believe I have made friends for life. I’m always happy to come for my milk refill, but it’s become more than that now. I have a place to call home from home, and meeting with others where I can also talk about my HIV if I want; this was unthinkable to me when I was pregnant. It has been a gift.
Empower, HIV Positive Women’s Group
Empower has helped me to be not shy about my HIV status. It helps me to talk about HIV and understand HIV. Knowing about U=U has educated and motivated me. We don’t have access to this kind of information anywhere else. It’s been life-changing.
Empower, HIV Positive Women’s Group
Empower has helped me to see things differently. Just being with people, whether it’s a training session or a simple discussion. My life has opened up.
Empower, HIV Positive Women’s Group
Empower has helped me with discussions, friendship and the sense of community I lost when I became HIV positive.
Empower, HIV Positive Women’s Group
Empower facilitates me taking my HIV medication. The doctors have prescribed their support in the form of observational therapy which means they call each day, along with the Skyline support staff, to be with me on the phone when I take my pills. Empower also encourages me to learn more about HIV and my health.
Empower, HIV Positive Women’s Group
I really enjoyed the trip; it was my first time going to the beach since moving to Leeds more than 10 years ago. It really reminded me of home. Lasha was great at keeping the group together. We wanted for nothing, the lunch was delicious, a fantastic restaurant chosen by our group leader. I got to learn more about the other group members and their journey to the UK. I realised that their experiences were not far different from my own. The leader engaged with us all, no one was left alone, even on our journey to and from Scarborough. Meeting people has made me feel less alone. Thank you BHA.
Lotus Group
I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his time and advice, and for supporting me to improve my own life. I would not be where I am now if it wasn’t for his help, and for the wider support from BHA Leeds Skyline.
Leeds Skyline
I suffer from mental health issues – bipolar, depression and agoraphobia, plus I am HIV positive. I have been using alcohol to help me control these issues. Andi has provided daily support which has helped enormously to stop using alcohol as a crutch, and to focus on my future goals. He has encouraged me to take my medication and link in with Forward Leeds to help me with my addiction issues. I have now also started an online course to keep myself busy and improve my day-to-day routine. Andi never judges me and encourages me to think of ways in which I can improve my life. He helps me to arrange my hospital appointments when my agoraphobia is bad, so that I don’t miss essential check-ups and dialogue with my consultants.
Leeds Skyline
I have enjoyed coming to this group, I really believe I have made friends for life. I’m always happy to come for my milk refill, but it’s become more than that now. I have a place to call home from home, and meeting with others where I can also talk about my HIV if I want; this was unthinkable to me when I was pregnant. It has been a gift.
Sassy Mama’s and Milk Scheme
I cannot thank you enough, this is my third child and is the only one I have had to feed whilst on benefits. This money is not enough to pay for milk too, I don’t know how people manage to feed themselves and their children as well as buying it. Being in the milk money scheme has helped me budget and still have enough for the rest of my family. It has made what would have been a very stressful time feel very happy, just as it should be with a new baby. Thank you for this, I feel very lucky.
Sassy Mama’s and Milk Scheme
My milk day is always the best day of my week; it’s reassuring to know that my baby will be fed. l am grateful as my baby is very fussy and finding the right milk was a struggle. Support from Hilda enabled me to find the milk she likes and more importantly, to be able to get it every time it’s needed. I didn’t have this safety net before, as I am on a very low income.
Sassy Mama’s and Milk Scheme
This is a quality training session. The trainer has an in-depth knowledge of the topic and an engaging style that is accessible.
Living Well with HIV training session
It encourages participants to reflect on their personal understanding and assumptions regarding HIV and, more importantly, how some of those assumptions and prejudices have formed over the years.
Living Well with HIV training session
I found the science element most beneficial – it was an accessible and concise explanation as to how the virus replicates. Also, the explanation as to how the condition is managed with drug therapy.
Living Well with HIV training session
It was a wonderful experience. The organisation was great, the food was delicious, and the trip was a very memorable one. Many thanks for a great trip and thank you for introducing me to people who have had similar experiences to me, it makes a lot of difference when you have others to help keep you happy.
Lotus Group
“I have to say a lot of the people I’ve been working with have been namedropping Skyline and specifically you, Andi! You are thought very highly thought of”.
From BWC at Leeds
The content was excellent, it made me realise how little I knew about HIV. The trainer was fantastic, very engaging and I enjoyed the tone of the session.
Living Well with HIV training session
