The Ankali Project
The Ankali Project was set up in 1985 to provide emotional and social support to people living with HIV (PLHIV). The Project consists of around 130 volunteers who are trained and supported by three Social Workers and one administrator are responsible for:
- Maintaining the wellbeing of clients,
- Ensuring clients have someone to talk to and share social activities with,
- Providing support to volunteers who are matched with a client.
Emotional support volunteer
In order to become an Ankali volunteer, new applicants commit to attending the volunteer training program. This is a comprehensive and intensive training which takes place over two weekends, and has been developed to help volunteers gain an understanding of the many issues facing PLHIV. Topics such as medical issues, current treatments, psychosocial issues, loss and change, communication skills and working with people with complex needs are included in the training.
An important part of the volunteer's experience with the Project is the provision of support and supervision. Volunteers are required to attend a weekly group meeting to provide support to fellow volunteers about the work they are doing with their clients. Support groups last for about one hour. The professional staff also provide additional support and supervision when necessary.
Volunteers of the project come from diverse backgrounds of ages, interests, ethnicities and life experiences. Volunteers are matched with clients on a one-to-one basis for a minimum period of six months and provide up to a maximum of five hours of client contact per week. This contact may include face-to-face and/or phone contact.
Clients
Similar to our volunteers, Ankali clients come from diverse backgrounds with different life experience. To be eligible for volunteer support a client has been assessed by a social worker of the service to be in need of the support as well as being appropriate for volunteer support. Clients must be a person living with HIV or a partner or family member of someone living with HIV.
Clients are usually referred to the service and may be experiencing one or more of the following issues: social isolation, bereavement, grief & loss, mental health problems, alcohol and other drug issues, respite needs, or they may be experiencing a time of change.
Would you like to know more about being an Ankali volunteer?
Further information is available in the Ankali Project Volunteer Guide, (LINK) or by calling (02) 9332 9742 during business hours.
Ankali Project
- A Division of the Albion Street Centre
150 Albion Street Surry Hills NSW 2010
Telephone + 61 2 9332 9742
Facsimile + 61 2 9360 3243
Email:
Ankali