Utilising HIV Positive Speakers for a HIV & Sexual Health program in

rural Secondary Schools and community health care settings.

Max Niggl. Positive Speakers Bureau Coordinator

PLWHA Victoria Inc.

Issue:• Rural Schools funding constraints have hindered

the provision of PLHIV speakers• Increasing requests made it difficult for the

PSBV to fund the cost of speakers in rural areas. • How to utilise State HIV and STI Strategies and

the Department of Education’s Whole of School Sexuality Program to morph into a State wide program and validate our program to school Principals

PLWHA Victoria Education, Information & Representation

Rural Funding:

• In 2008, the PLWHA Victoria PSB submitted a funding proposal for a rural program of PLHIV speakers into Secondary Schools and Community Health Care settings and received project funding.

PLWHA Victoria Education, Information & Representation

Project description:

• Using personal narratives of PLHIV speakers to embed sexual health promotion messages

• Reduce STI transmissions amongst rural youth and educate them about HIV

• Build a new training program for the speakers

• Develop new partnerships in rural areas

PLWHA Victoria Education, Information & Representation

Consultation phase:

• Two steering groups groups set up• Agencies steering group• Speakers steering group• Speaker selection• Action plan outlined• The PSB Coordinator to manage design,

implementation, delivery and evaluation of the project

PLWHA Victoria Education, Information & Representation

Training process:

• Design training to reflect multiple presentations over consecutive days

• Design HIV & Sexual Health Power Point “warm up” Why?

• Constant communication and evaluation of training process’s and learning methodologies commenced from start to finish.

PLWHA Victoria Education, Information & Representation

Administration and marketing:

• Naming of project for marketing• Complete re-design of booking, client and

speaker feedback forms• Introduction letter to Principals and Nurses• New PSB brochure• Mail out to DEECD region – SW Barwon• Intensive co-ordination

PLWHA Victoria Education, Information & Representation

Lessons learnt:

• Consult, consult ,consult• Disseminate Project Implementation Plan

to all and ask for comments• Recruit written support from key Principals

and Nurses to validate program in the marketing phase

• Re-skilling of speakers • Overcoming fear of technology

PLWHA Victoria Education, Information & Representation

Recommendations:

• Inclusion of all involved – The GIPA Principle in action

• Leadership equates to maximising achievements of speakers

• A softly, softly approach to new learning • Ownership of the process by the speakers

PLWHA Victoria Education, Information & Representation

Evaluation so far:

• Quantitative and qualitative feedback from schools

• Quantitative and qualitative feedback from speakers

• Power Point HIV & Sexual “warm up” Q&Q from schools and speakers

• WOW what can I say?

PLWHA Victoria Education, Information & Representation

Summary: Successful PLHIV speakers everywhere• Policy, research, & social marketing

principles • Passionate and skilled speakers• Ongoing personal & professional

development• Relationships built on mutual respect and

trust

PLWHA Victoria Education, Information & Representation

Contact:

Max Niggl

www.plwhavictoria.org.au

speakersbureau@plwhavictoria.org.au

PLWHA Victoria Education, Information & Representation