Care Project
Since 1992, we have provided support to many of those living with and affected by HIV in Ireland. Our care work can be understood through three themes: complex needs, a different understanding of place and mutuality.
Complex needs
We work particularly with those whose lives have been impacted both by HIV and addiction. This is generally within communities where grief still resides in the doorways of homes following AIDS-related deaths in the early years. The underpinning factors that have shaped much of the life of these communities remain with drug-related deaths and deep inequities and inequalities still in place. Therefore our care work is a part of the National Drugs Strategy as we play our own part in reducing harm and supporting recovery. The complex needs we respond to can involve interactions of health, housing, HIV, addiction, harm reduction, recovery pathways, grief, family difficulties and much more.
Place
Responding to complex needs requires unconventional approaches and so we do not operate a building or resource to which we bring those we serve. Rather we meet our clients on their terms, in their spaces. A kitchen table, a community café, a local clinic or park can be as much our place of work as anywhere else. This different emphasis on place leads to a different understanding of care plans, outcomes and even the nature of our care relationship itself.
Mutuality
We believe in the paradox that if you want to see change you need to stop trying to change people. Our work is most effective when we form relationships of mutuality, building trust as we empower people not through the solutions we bring but through what might emerge in the space between us. This was demonstrated in the title of our book, Drinking from the Same Cup. Taken from a phrase by one of our clients that was linked to an irrational fear of HIV transmission – “they used to think you could get it by drinking from the same cup” – it emphasises how we work and the way we believe change can come about.
Quilt Group
Since 1993 we have facilitated a quilt group in Dublin 8 which began as a way to honour those from the area who had been lost to HIV-related illness. It has continued as a source of bereavement support with the group continuing to remember those who have passed as well as celebrating the life and hope within their community.
Hampers
Christmas hampers are another part of the individual care we offer to each of our clients, so it is especially fitting that we can provide a hamper that is specific to each one. Delivering the hampers is a great opportunity to connect before the end of the year, while acknowledging the difficulties so prevalent at the holiday time. All of this reflects our values of placing a high importance on relationship. It is thanks to many groups and individuals that we are able to provide hampers each year: if you are interested in contributing a hamper or to the hamper fund, please contact us.
The care project is funded through the CHO 9 of the HSE. Our work is carried out by two full-time staff complimented by two part-time members of staff and a small team of trained volunteers. Our staff are Garda vetted as appropriate; a copy of our comprehensive Child Safeguarding Strategy is available on request.
Referrals
We receive referrals through a wide range of agencies but particularly through the infectious diseases clinics of major hospitals in Dublin.
