Thrivine is a Support Group for those living with or affected by HIV in Blackburn, and the surrounding towns and districts. We are a constituted group with over 50 members. Our aims include tackling the fear, stigma and prejudice associated with diagnosis in order that others may not have to suffer in silence. We organise social activities, we hold evening meetings on the 3rd Tuesday of each month and weekly drop-in sessions on Thursday afternoons and support those in crisis. Thrivine also offers outreach to newly diagnosed and/or isolated individuals, volunteering as and when requested by the individual. Volunteers work in close proximity with GUM staff at both Burnley and Blackburn hospitals. Thrivine also receives statutory and voluntary sector support for the work we do.
Everyone using or working with Thrivine abides by our confidentiality policy which ensures your HIV status is never to disclosed to anyone.
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Thrivine Support
Weekly support group – Thursday afternoons 1:30pm – 4:30pm
Monthly support group – 3rd Tuesday of the month 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Regular additional activities include:
- Tai Chi,
- Complementary Therapies,
- Advice,
- Information
- Social Events.
Thrivine is proactive in educating others regarding issues around HIV and raising HIV awareness. Thrivine actively challenges stigma and discrimination relating to HIV. Thrivine is led by a philosophy which focuses on well-being, through:
- meeting others with similar experiences
- enabling the building of
confidence and self-esteem - empowering individuals
for a positive + life.
Several members of the group have been actively open about their HIV status on local and national radio, TV, and in the press. A significant minority of Thrivine are also involved in other HIV awareness raising ventures and pressure groups. We have link with other HIV organisations locally and nationally as well as with organisations further afield. Thrivine has evolved since the outset and we hope to continue evolving through development of a variety of awareness raising events.
In addition to this, Thrivine has a strong element of protection for those individuals for whom disclosure is not an option. Our confidentiality policy must be signed by ALL members and visitors in order to protect our vunerable members. Thrivine aims to develop stategies which can help newly diagnosed and/or isolated members improve their self regard and confidence.
As the numbers of HIV diagnoses continues to rise here, as elsewhere around the UK and beyond, we hope that the wider community will benefit from the growth and development of Thrivine. Only through awareness of the effects of HIV can a person make valuable life choices in order to protect themselves and ultimately prevent the spread of this devastating disease.
