CHIVA's objectives are to:
There are approximately 1500 children, young people and young adults living in the UK who acquired HIV during childhood. Children and Young people growing up with HIV can have wide ranging needs that stem from managing a complex health condition throughout their childhood. As well as the challenges of life long clinic attendance and daily medication requirements families can experience and worry about stigma associated with HIV and this can lead to many being very isolated, marginalised and lacking support beyond clinics. CHIVA provides support to children and their families through national programmes, aimed at enhancing knowledge and understanding of HIV and reducing the social isolation many children and young people experience and bringing families together. CHIVA aims to enhance confidence and self esteem and build resilience in the families we work with whilst also working to ensure optimum health care and support is provided.
CHIVA has been providing national peer support to up to 100 children with HIV each year through its annual support camp for the past 10 years. The support camp, named ‘Freedom to Be’ by young people, aims to address the social isolation experienced by children with HIV, enhance knowledge and understanding of HIV, and improve self efficacy and coping skills. Whilst developing a peer support network through the friendships established at camp.
CHIVA provides regional support to children and their families in the South West, Wales and the North West regularly throughout the year, providing staff support in clinics to support health professionals meeting the broader psycho-social impacts of HIV on children and their families, undertaking direct support work with children and their families and providing regional peer meet up days, which bring young people living with HIV together for HIV education workshops and social activities.
CHIVA supports older young people with the challenges associated with transitioning into adult health care and adult life through arts engagement projects. This programme develops insight, understanding, and opportunities for peer support and the development of skills and confidence in young people through engagement with the arts. It produces creative resources such as films, podcasts and drama pieces which reflect stories and thoughts shared by young people which serve to meet our wider aim of addressing on HIV related stigma and raising public awareness.
CHIVA is committed to ensuring young people living with HIV have an active role in the organisation, and their wishes and priorities shape CHIVA and inform its work programme. CHIVA also ensures young people have opportunities to take part in key activities which raise awareness of their experiences and views more widely, to inform public understanding; research; policy and practice development. CHIVA has been supporting the provision of guidance for health care professionals working with children with HIV in the UK and Ireland via the website since 2005. All CHIVA guidelines and resources are peer reviewed by a multidisciplinary Guideline Group to ensure that any advice given is representative of best practice and is the latest information. CHIVA guidelines and resources are made freely available on the CHIVA website. The CHIVA website also provides information and guidance to families.
