Ensuring Positive Futures

Ensuring Positive Futures (EPF) is an innovative employability programme for people living with HIV in the UK The EPF programme is run by a partnership of organisations including major HIV charities, businesses, government bodies and trades unions working together to support people living with HIV in the workplace.

HIV is a workplace issue that all employers should understand. Most people diagnosed with HIV are of working age, and can live long and prosperous lives with the right treatment and medication.

The Disability Discrimination Act now covers HIV from the point of diagnosis. It is important that employers understand how to treat people living with HIV fairly and in accordance with the DDA. EPF aims to help employers understand the needs of workers affected by HIV, and to support people living with HIV in the workplace.

The Ribbons Centre is an EPF partner organisation. Since joining EPF we have run several courses:

• STEPS - A motivational and esteem building course designed to identify strengths and skills, overcome barriers, plan routes forward, and set goals.
  
• Basic IT skills for those with little or no computer experience.
  
• CLAIT - A 17 week computer course that leads to a nationally recognised qualification (ongoing)

Onced registered onto EPF, you can also access courses and support services run by other EPF partners around the country. Careers advice, training and welfare support are some of the other ways EPF supports HIV positive people in finding and retaining jobs.

More information about Ensuring Positive Futures can be found on their website
www.e-pf.org.uk

'Ensuring Positive Futures is part of a community programme called Equal - a European Social Fund initiative which tests and promotes new means of combating all forms of discrimination and equality in the labour market. The GB Equal Support Unit is managed by Ecotec'.