Course activities for people living with HIV

Page last reviewed 2.7.2024

Discussions during these courses are open and confidential

Hivpoint organises free courses for people living with HIV. The aim of the courses is to support the participants’ well-being and help to find resources and to receive professional support and peer support from others in the same situation. The courses are aimed for both those who have recently been informed of their infection and those who have lived with HIV for a longer time. The courses are held in Southern Finland and last 2–3 days.

To whom are the courses for?

Hivpoint provides courses for people living with HIV and their families. Family and couples courses are open for family members as well. Courses have babysitters and program for kids.

The courses are aimed especially for newcomers who have recently become familiar with our activities and need support with living with HIV. We specifically select participants who are navigating through new life circumstances with HIV, and we prioritize addressing their unique support needs. Also, a recently changed life situation (for example, a new partner and relationship or family planning) can bring up new types of HIV related questions and temporarily increase the need for support. We also recognize the importance of familial support, and we organize separate courses aimed at the whole family.

Course content

We aim to support life management and well-being, to find resources and to get peer support from other people living with HIV. Courses serve both people who have recently learned about their infection as well as people who have been living with HIV for a longer time. The courses involve professionally guided discussions, lectures and leisure time. The courses are organised primarily in the Helsinki metropolitan area and last for 2–3 days. Dates, detailed course programmes and application form are found below.

Costs

The courses are free of charge. Hivpoint offers group transport from Helsinki. Participants only have to pay their own travel expenses to and from Helsinki city center.

If travel costs prevent from applying, please contact Batulo Essak, batulo.essak(at)hivpoint.fi.

Once you have confirmed your participation and been approved to the course, the enrollment is binding. If you cancel your participation without a valid reason, you will be charged for all possible costs that result from the cancelling.

Feedback from previous courses

Participants of previous courses report having found new strength in their everyday life and increased trust in the future. Discussing with professionals and peers and sharing experiences help in seeing and processing one’s own life situation in a new way. Meeting peers in a safe and confidential environment has been a particularly valuable experience for many, and many new friendships have formed during the courses.

” During the course I got peer support and it made me realize that I’m not alone with my situation. I was able to share my thoughts for the first time in my life. Listening to the experiences from various people gave me tips to organize my everyday life.”
Course participant

Who are the course leaders?

The leaders of the courses are Hivpoint’s experts, trained social and health care professionals who have years of HIV work experience. The courses may also include other visiting specialists, such as doctors or art therapists.

”I got so much new information about HIV-treatment and a lot of help and advice from the workers. I felt safe and they were kind and caring.”
Course participant

Courses in 2024

Multicultural family course, August 23–25

The course is intended for all families with an immigrant background that include an HIV-positive family member. The course offers families the opportunity for peer support, professional support, refreshment and relaxation. The working methods of the course are guided group discussions and functional methods. The course offers a nice time together.

The topics covered in the course are related to the everyday life of a family with children. A separate program has been organized for children during the adults’ program.

Applying for the course is done via the application form.
Fill out the form from the link below.

Apply from here

If you need help filling out the application form, please contact Batulo Essak.
Batulo Essak, batulo.essak(at)hivpoint.fi, tel +358 40 778 9861

Animal-assisted course, September 6–8

The course is intended for all those who arrived from Ukraine and whose family includes an HIV positive family member. The course offers families the opportunity for peer support, professional support, refreshment and relaxation. The working methods of the course are guided group discussions and animal-assisted activities with dogs and donkeys. The topics covered in the course are related to living with HIV and stigma. A separate program has been organized for children during the adults’ program.

The course can be held in Finnish and English, and the course also has Ukrainian interpretation.

Application for the course starts on July 5, 2024.

If you would like more information about the course or would like to register for the course, please contact: Niina Laaksonen, niina.laaksonen(at)hivpoint.fi, 040 778 9881

Well-being course, 27–29 September

The aim of the course is to offer HIV positive people ways to maintain their own health and well-being both psychologically and physically. The course offers the opportunity for both peer support and professional support. The working methods at the course are lectures, group discussions and physical activities. All HIV positive people can apply for the course.

The theme of this year’s course is sexuality. The course is located approximately 100 km from Helsinki, and its exact location will only be announced to those participating the course.

During the course, you can discuss in Finnish and English. The application period ends on September 8, 2024.