A chat with Waverley Care
We spoke to Murray from Waverley Care to hear about the work he does and how he keeps himself well.
Murray works in the Health Improvement team in Edinburgh, and if people go for in-person testing in the city or in the Lothians, there’s a high chance it’ll be Murray who people meet at our clinic.
If you would like us to share your story, please email ithrive@health-in-mind.org.uk.
It feels like an exciting time to be working in the HIV sector with Waverley Care.
As a charity, we’re working to help make Scotland one of the first countries in the world to end all new HIV infections, and the good news is we already have all the tools to make it a reality.
We have amazing treatments that help people live long, healthy lives, and can actually stop the spread of HIV through sex.
We have PrEP – a treatment available to anyone at risk of HIV that can prevent new infections.
And of course we have the trusty condom – which comes with the added bonus of preventing a whole load of other STIs at the same time.
With all of these prevention options available, you’d be forgiven for asking why a charity like Waverley Care is still needed? The answer to that question, in a word, is stigma.
For all the progress, HIV Is still one of the most stigmatised conditions in the world, and is surrounded by myths and misinformation. This lack of understanding about what HIV is, and judgements about people living with the condition can have a damaging effect for everyone.
For people living with HIV, fear of judgement and discrimination can have widespread consequences for their mental and physical health, leaving them isolated in their communities.
More broadly, stigma perpetuates the idea that HIV is something to be frightened of, making people anxious about accessing testing.
Through our work, we want to challenge this stigma. For people living with HIV, we provide support in a safe, non-judgemental environment, working with them to find ways to improve their physical, mental and sexual health and wellbeing.
In the wider community we work to raise awareness of HIV, encouraging people to know their status through testing and providing information, advice and support to help people feel more confident about their sexual health
One of the most powerful things I see in my role is the difference that having that safe, supportive space can make for people who are living with or at risk of HIV. It offers people the opportunity to talk openly, often for the first time, about things that are impacting on their health and wellbeing, releasing them from the burden of bottling things up and allowing them to think about next steps. I always feel immensely grateful that people are willing to put that trust in me, and I hope it makes a difference.
If you’d like to find out more about Waverley Care, and the services that we offer, you can find out more on our website at waverleycare.org.