Volunteer values
Volunteering, or even working for GMFA, has brought many positive gay
men back into the
workforce. Russell Fleet, a GMFA volunteer from the early days, and
subsequently a member of staff, says:
"I had taken medical retirement from the teaching profession in 1993
and never expected to work again, or to have to, thanks to the 'golden
handcuffs' of DLA and Incapacity Benefit. However, boredom set in very
quickly and, after a brief foray into the world of acting, I decided to
go back to work. When F***sheet (the GMFA newsletter) plopped onto my
doormat with a job ad in it, I applied...
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Russell Fleet quizzes a Hampstead Heath punter
"The main impact it had was to awaken my long-dead sense of ambition.
I was given the space to find out what really moved me, to develop my
skills and broaden my knowledge. I was supported throughout my time there
not just as a man with HIV returning to work, but as a colleague with
the desire to go further in the field, and most importantly as a friend.
Many people saw me through one of the most difficult periods of my life,
they picked me up off the floor, told me I could do it when I 'knew' I
couldn't and helped me find a place for myself in the world again."
Fulfilment for the future
Ten years after that first crisis meeting, GMFA is flourishing. Despite
many changes and cutbacks in provision for HIV health promotion work,
GMFA's funding looks to be assured for the next few years (Primary Care
Trusts willing). Almost 300 volunteers
are currently active within the organisation, and monthly induction days are held to welcome new ones. Over the next year, there will be three advertising
