Aims and Objectives

Support Services

Provide support to people with HIV and their loved ones, as well as people with a sexual health crisis/problem.
Provide opportunities for people with HIV to live healthy lives by broadening their perspectives on the possibilities available to them and provide them with material support if appropriate.
Participate in policy development aimed at improving service delivery in the western region.
Provide respite weekends for HIV positive people and their carers.
Provide helpline support to anyone who is worried about or potentially facing a sexual health care crisis.

Enhance sexual well-being by the provision of responsive and innovative training programmes to schools, community groups, youth organisations, etc. and work in conjunction with state agencies to provide these programmes where appropriate.
Work with the HSE and community groups in the development and delivery of “Train the Trainers” programmes to schools, community groups, etc.
AIDS West also offers a Certificate in Sexual Health Promotion in conjunction with NUI, Galway.
Provides educational programmes to community groups on drug and alcohol abuse and the implications on sexual behaviour and transmission of diseases.

Develop awareness campaigns, provide information material, encourage media involvement and hold events that will educate the community on HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections and sexual health.
Provide a Helpline Information Service on HIV and STIs.
Participate in research on prevention and care.
Publish a quarterly newsletter “Happiness is Vital”.
Participate in related local/national meetings and networks/associations in order to develop and maintain models of best practice.

Provide outreach services to young people who are potentially at risk and who are not in contact with other services.
Provide outreach programmes for at-risks groups i.e. gay community, asylum seekers, prisoners, plus many others, in the form of education, support, advice and free condoms etc.
Ongoing use of technology to provide information on HIV/STIs, such as maintaining up-to-date information on our website.
Draft and publish leaflets, posters, brochures and booklets on sexual health matters for information and distribution to health clinics, doctors surgeries, seminars, conferences etc.