Norah had worked in a bank for eight years and ran her own hair salon for five. Positive Futures added computer literacy, and she put her new skills into practice as a PW volunteer.
Then a full-time post became available. "I was not
sure about myself," she says, but got the job.
The transition from volunteer to full-time worker was not easy. Everyone
at PW was very supportive. But Norah was exhausted. She had a headache
for three days, and ended up in hospital for a fortnight. A cross-London
journey to work didn't help.
Norah has moved nearer to work, and now has four volunteers working under
her. "I'm proud of my
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volunteers and myself," she says. She's a bit of
a role model, she knows.
Phil Burns, 36, was an intensive care
nurse when illness forced him to give up work seven years ago. He's been
through three combinations and disabling side-effects. But when things
got better he was keen to go back to work.
He went to an NHS recruitment fair. With the current shortage of nurses,
they were eager to have him back - until his HIV was disclosed. "Then
I got a very negative response." They weren't interested, not even
in a non-clinical position.
Phil got full benefits when he was diagnosed, but says: "I was always
nervous about brown envelopes coming through the door." He decided
to
Phil Burns and Sarah, his manager
"jump before being pushed" and actively seek
work. "I wanted to feel useful again."
He had got admin experience already at the UK Coalition. But when he had
an interview for a job at NAM, "it was appalling!" He realised
he needed more experience.
Positive Futures were beginning to get more commercial
placements - the sort of challenge Phil was looking for.
They found him a placement with Rooster, a PR/marketing company in Bloomsbury.
The three days a week commitment allows time to continue his degree.
Phil is keen to emphasise that returning to work is not for everyone, "but it gives a pattern to my week. And I feel I've earned my sleep!" Latest news is they've offered him a paid job
