Completed evaluation forms were received from 14 newly diagnosed participants
100% felt more confident taking part in the conference as a result of the pre-day
I was able to get a better idea of what to expect, who was attending and what the atmosphere was going to be
The openness of participants was a great help. To be able to talk to others was liberating
It broke the ice and made it easier to communicate
I didn’t know a lot about HIV and since being diagnosed my confidence has dropped a lot. To see more people like me was brilliant.
I was more comfortable and confident to attend the subsequent meetings
It paved the way for me to be much more relaxed for the rest of the conference and to begin to accept myself as HIV positive
100% said it was beneficial to have a day with other newly diagnosed people
There were many newly diagnosed people who shared my concerns.
Great peer interaction and helpful in sharing experiences with a personal and spiritual touch
Got a lot of advice and ideas from the group discussion sessions
First time for me to meet others in the same situation
Other people’s experience gave me confidence
We were all dealing with the initial trauma of being diagnosed in our own way which can be a very lonely road to walk
To hear other people’s stories and experiences was helpful in putting my own experiences into perspective
It was a real eye-opener and the whole day had a great vibe to it. It was really inspiring and left me feeling very empowered
As a Christian it was really hard to accept certain behaviours and attitudes but since the conference my heart has been opened to a lot and I have made friends with people I wouldn’t have – Thank You
100% said the newly diagnosed day catered for their needs as a newly diagnosed person
Everyone was so supportive and open that it was really easy to discuss anything concerning us
It would have been good to have another opportunity for the newly diagnosed to get together again. There was so much we could have shared
We were able to meet others who have survived for years and are looking forward with confidence
I relaxed a lot and did not even see how time was moving
92% said they felt they had a say in the planning of the day
Chance was always given for all of us to chat and make use of the times that at the end of the workshop we still wanted to continue
I got to choose which group to stay with
83% rated all the workshops held as good or excellent. Only two people rated one of the workshops as average (both different)
All the ones I did were wonderful
100% said the day helped them in living with their HIV status
I was a little hesitant about disclosing my status. I had not really accepted it. The day made me aware that others were dealing with it under much more difficult circumstances. I feel that I do not really have a problem – only HIV and that is such a good way to feel!
Made friends, discussed my concerns with some of them
Now with the knowledge of the new drugs we are able to plan a future
Gave me lots more confidence
Helped me realise that I’m not alone and that there are lots of other people out there living with HIV
I used to be on my own without anyone to confide in and felt like it was the end of the world. It gave me hope to live longer. I had stopped planning ahead but now have the courage and look forward to surviving for the next 10 to 20 years,
Meeting other positive people
I got my head out of the sand and really thought about the future, things I needed to know
Other comments
This is the first time I could be open about things, have fun and not be worried about what not to say. I had a very hard time over the last couple of years (even other problems than HIV) and it was BRILLIANT. Thank you to every single person who made this possible
It’s the atmosphere that beat everything. The friendliness that was flowing. All nationalities, colours, attitudes meeting together. It was awesome
Thank you for the experience as a whole. The conference was great and a valuable experience. It has changed my thinking about how I can live as a person with HIV
The only thing is that there wasn’t more time so I could attend all of the presentations
I loved every minute of this conference
I was quite lost, feeling alone but now I know I will LIVE
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