Peer Support | George House Trust

Peer mentoring is a form of mentorship that takes place between a person who has lived through a specific experience and a person who is new to that experience or requires additional support.

It is a relationship based on mutual learning and growth, with the aim of supporting people to achieve a sense of control and empowerment.

We are currently providing peer mentoring in Greater Manchester and the city of Liverpool.

Who are Peer Mentors?

Our peer mentors are people living with HIV and use their own personal experiences to help and support others. Peer mentors attend training, receive ongoing support and guidance from staff at George House Trust and work to the National Standards for HIV Peer Support.

Find out more about becoming a Peer Mentor

Want to speak to someone else living with HIV?

"I could open up and felt so relaxed talking to her because I knew that she would understand my condition of living with HIV, and also my immigration status situation as she is also an immigrant who has been through what I am going through."

- Service User

How will I benefit?

Peer mentoring is there to help you lead a healthy, happy and confident life with HIV. This means different things to different people. Your mentor will tailor the support they provide based on your needs, with the aim of helping you to achieve your personal goals. The aim of peer mentoring is to increase your confidence and self-esteem by providing an opportunity to speak to someone else living with HIV.

How does it work?

This service is available for anyone living with HIV.

You will be matched with a mentor who you will meet with regularly, for up to 12 weeks. You can meet a mentor at your HIV clinic, at George House Trust, or at a place local to you, if that’s more convenient. Mentoring is also available by phone, email or Skype. Mentors are there to share their own personal experiences of living with HIV, and to answer any questions you might have about living with HIV.

Peer mentors can provide support with the following areas:

Coming to terms with a new diagnosis
Increasing your knowledge about HIV
Starting treatment or changing treatment
Adhering to medication and managing side effects
Getting the most out of clinical appointments
Talking about HIV
Managing sexual and romantic relationships
Increasing your confidence and self-esteem

If you do require specialist advice, your mentor can signpost you on to other relevant services.

You can access the service by completing the form below, or by speaking to a member of George House Trust staff by calling 0161 274 4499. You will be invited in for an initial discussion, then we can match you with a peer mentor.