Joseph O’Reilly is Manager of the UK’s Network of Self-Help HIV and Aids Groups. This assertive Australian may just be bringing in a new perspective that the tired UK sector badly needs. Interview by Gus Cairns
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The Network of Self-Help HIV and Aids Groups doesn't yet have its name
up on the board at its new building. Finding it involves wandering along
corridors and phoning for directions. Joseph O'Reilly eventually pops
out of the right door just as I find it.
Without stretching the analogy too far, the UK HIV sector sometimes feels
like it has lost its sense of direction too.
"It amazes me, really," says Joseph, "that there has never
been a single National Association
for People with HIV in the UK." An omission the slight, but energetic
Australian wants to put right.
At the same time, he thinks that trying to include everyone with HIV,
and only people with HIV, in community campaigning is outdated. O'Reilly
himself, for instance, is not HIV positive, and not about to apologise
for it.
He knew plenty of people who died of Aids in the bad old days. But his
passion, you sense, lies more in helping people achieve power than generating
sympathy à la
Princess Di.
