Positive Wellness Program
The Positive Wellness Program offers programming for HIV+ and co-infected (HIV and Hepatitis C) men and women, their family and friends.
Programming includes:
- short-term, solution-focused counselling for PWP members, their families and friends (by appointment and on a drop-in basis)
- advocacy and support with issues regarding income assistance, health care, employment, housing, and legal matters
- support around social, emotional and practical needs, including up-to-date information about disease management, harm reduction, safer sex, and health and wellness promotion
- referrals to appropriate community resources, professionals, agencies and institutions
- Persons With Disability status application assessment and assistance
For information on services provided in each of our locations, please see below.
VICTORIA
Victoria programming includes:
- a member-only drop-in space that allows members to interact with their peers while enjoying refreshments and a hot, nutritious lunch
- access to weekly doctor’s clinic and on-site blood testing
- assistance with obtaining local public transportation tickets.
NANAIMO
The Nanaimo program offers a drop in space for clients that includes access to meal replacement drinks, coffee, fruit and snacks on a daily basis. Members have access to one food voucher per year (income dependant) and payment for their yearly bus pass (for clients who are eligible through their PWD benefits). A gay men’s support group meets once per month.
This office also prints a weekly housing list of what's available in Nanaimo and surrounding areas and a monthly newsletter.
COURTENAY/COMOX
The Positive Wellness Program operates from 9am – 5pm Monday to Thursday. Specific In addition to the basic services common to all locations, this office offers:
- Daily drop in the lounge – coffee etc
- Every Tuesday – hot lunch 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
- Every Tuesday – acupuncture 12:30 – 1:30 pm
- Wednesdays – 1:30 – 4:30 – community health nurse (wound care, blood pressure, blood sugar, etc.)
- Thursdays – 1 pm – 3 pm – movie afternoon with popcorn
- First Tuesday of each month – Naturopathic physician / homeopathic practitioner
- Second Tuesday of each month – massage therapist
Campbell River
This office offers a drop in lounge for HIV and or HCV positive clients. Members may also access personal hygiene supplies, some clothing and donated baked goods.
Port Hardy
A kitchen program in Port Hardy is offered three times per month. Some services are offered on a mobile basis to meet clients in smaller, rural and remote communities.