We are looking for drivers to help our service users through the Supportive Transport service. This transport service is our most popular service. It offers lifts to people who are living with or affected by HIV and /or Hepatitis C to attend vital medical, social care and welfare appointments. Our clients often struggle to travel independently due to limited mobility, social anxiety or financial constraints. Some are socially isolated and value the company of their driver. Providing a listening ear to help a Service User process what has been told to them at an appointment is of great benefit. Many tell us they would not attend vital medical appointments without having someone to support them in getting there. Our drivers provide much more to our service users than just a lift! Supportive Transport volunteers also deliver medication and food parcels. You are able to use your own car for this role or an Enterprise hire car.

The Home Support service offers practical and social support to people affected by HIV and/or Hepatitis C helping them to take care of their homes and their wellbeing. For many, this enables them to maintain their tenancies and encourages self-care. When illness, mobility or side-effects of medication makes housework too difficult we can offer the support that enables people to feel more comfortable with their environment. You will work with the Service User to achieve goals together which may include assisting them with cleaning and decluttering, making a shopping list, understanding household bills or one-off tasks such as gardening or DIY (dependent on volunteers’ skills). Home Support also builds social connections in order to tackle isolation and stigma.

Positive Help offers practical help to people affected by HIV and /or Hepatitis C in Edinburgh and the Lothians. The core services are delivered by a team of trained volunteers: Befriending for children and young people; Home Support (cleaning, decluttering, gardening and other domestic tasks); a free Transport service, which helps people to get to and from medical appointments as well as support groups or local supermarkets; Study Buddies, a homework mentoring service for children; and a supported shopping service. We are a very small team, so volunteers really are the beating heart of Positive Help. We offer comprehensive training, volunteer support sessions and social events, reimburse any expenses and are able to provide a potential reference to future employers. Visit our website to learn more: https://www.positivehelpedinburgh.co.uk

As a Study Buddy you will support the learning and development of a child or a young person who is affected by HIV and/or Hepatitis C. You will meet weekly for 1-2 hours to spend one-on-one time together. Sessions usually take place in a café or community space such as a library Together you can work on homework or development of relevant skills, such as developing the child’s motor skills by doing crafts or doing a physical activity. The sessions are creative and child-lead. This is a great opportunity if you would like to gain experience for working in education. Study Buddies help children build their confidence, develop a love of learning, gain new life-skills and improve their numeracy and literacy.