INFO KIT

1. SUPPORT SERVICES

Straight Arrows

Formed in 1995, Straight Arrows is run by and for HIV Positive heterosexuals and their families. Straight Arrows provides services and support including:

• Treatment information from a Treatments Officer (in conjunction with Positive Women) fortnightly;
• Medical and paramedical services information;
• Legal services referral (HALC);
• Social contact;
• Assistance with housing needs, and referral to AHAG;
• One-to-one peer support;
• Massage;
• Hospital/ward visits;
• Outreach/home visits;
• Monthly lunch (free of charge);
• Speakers for education in wider community;
• Drop in space for coffee and/or a chat;
• Financial relief and Child Care reimbursements.

Fairfield House
The Alfred
Moubray Street
Prahran 3181
Hours: Monday – Friday 9.30am – 4pm
Tel: (03) 9276 3792
Fax: (03) 9276 3817
Email: support@straightarrows.org.au

People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA - Vic.)

PLWHA provides advocacy, representation, information and support for all HIV/positive people in Victoria. It focuses its attention and energies on advocacy, particularly in the areas of health service delivery, treatments activism, housing, anti-discrimination and quality of life issues for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Membership in PLWHA also entitles a person to a free regular newsletter, notification of upcoming events (including social functions) and gives the right to vote at the AGM or any special meetings of the organisation. PLWHA has a variety of ways in which HIV+ people can be active, including the Speakers Bureau, Treatments Action Group, HIV+ Radio or the Board of Management.

Ground Floor
6 Claremont Street
South Yarra 3141
Tel: (03) 9865 6772
Fax: (03) 9804 7978

HIV Support Services – Victorian AIDS Council

Services offered include:

• Support for partners, family and friends;
• Information and advice in relation to your health care;
• Referral to other agencies;
• Social and emotional support and outings;
• Financial assistance;
• Legal assistance;
• Advocacy on behalf of clients;
• Personal care in your home;
• Assistance with gardening, shopping, washing and other domestics tasks;
• Transport to medical appointments.

Check you eligibility with the Victorian AIDS Council on
(03) 9865 6700 and speak to a Regional Support Officer (RSO).
An initial assessment will be made over the phone. If eligibility is probable then an appointment will be made for a formal assessment.
If appropriate a Care Team Coordinator will be assigned who will then discuss your support needs, and develop a care plan.
All client records are maintained confidentially, and the program is non-discriminatory. Services are targeted to those PLWHAs most in need. Straight Arrows has always found the service to be a boon to HIV+ people, and the RSO's friendly and approachable.

Positive Women

This is a State-wide service in Victoria offering confidential information and support group for women with living HIV/AIDS. Positive Women offer:

• one-to-one contact in person or by phone;
• group support;
• a monthly newsletter;
• a drop-in centre twice a month;
• information and referrals;
• retreats and social events;
• hospital and home visits on request.

Positive Women also:

• advocates and lobbies for the rights of women with HIV/AIDS.
• provides speakers for educational purposes in the wider community and networks with other women’s and HIV/AIDS groups in Australia and overseas.

Fairfield House
Alfred Hospital
Moubray Street
Prahran 3181
Tel: (03) 9076 6918
Fax: (03) 9076 6092
Email: info@positivewomen.org.au
Web site: http://www.positivewomen.org.au

Lifeline Australia

This is a telephone counseling service that is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Calls are connected automatically to the nearest available Lifeline centre for the cost of a local call, from anywhere in Australia.
Tel: 13 11 14
Web: http://www.lifeline.org.au

Country Awareness Network (CAN)

CAN is a statewide organisation which represents regional and rural interests.
Its aim is to be a resource for people affected or infected by HIV/AIDS or other blood borne diseases, and it can be accessed by agencies or individuals across Victoria.
CAN also acts as a facilitator for education, training and events, support and care to be run by local communities for local communities in rural Victoria.
34 Myers Street Bendigo 3552
Tel: (03) 5443 8355
Email: can@can.org.au
Web: http://www.can.org.au

2. HOUSING >