COMMUNITY LIAISON AND SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT

Claire Lawrie

WA AIDS Council

It’s a braw, bricht, moonlicht nicht the nicht

Bless his wee cotton sock

COMMUNITY LIAISON AND

SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT

Me at school

“Be brave, be accepting,

become wise. Learn all you can.

Meet the challenge with knowledge and

compassion., not ignorance and

fear”

- Steve, Perth WA

SUPPORT SERVICESClient overview

• TOTAL PLWHIV IN WA = 1200• TOTAL CLIENTS = 383• GAY = 73%• WOMEN = 78• CALD = 70• ATSI = 33

• High contact 71 = Engage regularly for practical, emotional support and advocacy.

• Low contact 57 = Engage less frequently, more for social contact and confidence and encouragement.

Social Engagement

EVENTS• Reclink – free

swim/gym • General Pos BBQ -• Str8 Up dinner• Annual retreat• ARTBOX & Creative

Writing• Family Day• 50 +Focus group to

address ageing with HIV

• Rock and Water

BENEFITS• Health and Fitness• Share experiences• Learn new strategies• Creative expression• Observe resilience and

living well.• Personal development• Cathartic healing• Feeling connected…

Some of the issues PLWHIV raise at events

• Multicultural concerns• Ostracised from family and community• Faith based issues• Mental Health• Disclosing to children• Negotiating sexual relationships• Having a baby• Navigating social media• Ageing• Employment …

Community liaison

WA AIDS COUNCIL

• Non discriminatory policy development

• Awareness raising• Workforce training• Consolidating best practice service

delivery outcomes• Capacity building.

CAPACITY BUILDING

“Coupled with a new notion of shared responsibility, and the building of new coalitions with common goals and common purpose, capacity building is a key ingredient in redressing social exclusion, inequality and vulnerability in our community”

Fitzgerald R.NSW Community Services Commissioner

NSW Health/A framework for Building Capacity to Improve Health