while still on benefits. It was the company's busiest time of year: "I had to work under myown steam." But from the first he felt part of a team. Finally in April 2001 he was offered a

permanent job.
"I take each day as it comes," says Andy MacGill, 48. Would Andy consider returning to work? Probably not. "It's taken me a long time to get over the guilt of not working. But I have worked since 17 and paid my dues."
Andy was enjoying his work as a civil servant when he tested HIV positive in 1984. At first he was well, but in the early 90s his health started to deteriorate. Initially Andy turned down the

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Andy: "What's important iis having my own time"

idea of early retirement. "Not being in the workforce was not an option." But by late 1995, he had no choice. He was awarded a pension.
His health has remained fragile. He has had two bouts of PCP, eyesight problems, and was also attacked on a bus and

Daniel: "I wanted to feel good about myself"

eventually lost the sight of the 'good' eye. Nonetheless, in some other ways, things got better. He made new friends.
Andy appreciates still being alive and he's not going to risk his future health.
"Taking early retirement was not easy. Now what's important is having my own time."
Norah has worked full-time for a year as receptionist at Positively Women (PW). Coming to Britain from Uganda after her husband died, she was diagnosed with Aids in 1998. "I disappeared for two years and kept myself to myself." But she needed work; she has four children to support back in Uganda.

She started seeing an adult guidance worker at PW once a week. "I'd normally spend the 40 minutes crying!"