ACON’s Community Support Network is now marking four decades sustaining the quality of life and independence of people living with HIV in New South Wales through home-based care.
HOW THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT NETWORK BEGAN
Beginning in spring 1984, the Community Support Network provides free practical assistance to help people living with HIV live as independently as possible in their own homes. Trained volunteers offer a range of life-sustaining services including meal preparation, basic cleaning, laundry, gardening, transport to and from medical appointments and grocery shopping.
In the early days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, many community health and support services were too afraid to work with HIV positive clients. One group of gay men banded together to care for their sick friend – and they quickly learned the best way to bathe, feed, lift, turn, encourage and be there for their mate as his health worsened. After his death they shared the knowledge they had gained with others in similar primary care situations. Soon they were training volunteers and developing a roster to meet the increasing need they saw around them. They called it the Community Support Network.
WHO IS THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT NETWORK FOR?
Throughout the four decades, the Community Support Network program is made available to people who have a diagnosis of physical or cognitive impairment as a result of, or in the presence of, HIV infection resulting in impaired capacity for independent living. Today there are branches across the state, including in the Illawarra region and Blue Mountains / Western Sydney.
While they do many essential tasks, the volunteer carers are so much more than 'home helps' – they break down the barriers of social isolation and emotional deprivation that many people with HIV/AIDS experience. Hundreds of volunteers over the four decades since 1984 have made a profound impact on countless lives – and that impact continues today with demand still high for the Community Support Network’s services.
ACON’s Community Support Network is funded by the NSW Ministry of Health.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Volunteer Opportunities Include: Basic cleaning, Gardening, Grocery shopping, Laundry, Meal Preparation and Transport to medical appointments.
We are currently seeking volunteers near Constitution Hill, Dulwich Hill Glebe, Daceyville, Chippendale, Eastgardens, Surry Hills, Erskineville, Waterloo, Redfern, Newtown, Marrickville, Zetland, Waterloo, and Potts Point.
If you are interested in volunteering or would like to refer someone to ACON’s Community Support Network, please complete the Online Intake Form below, or email [email protected].