someone who has been there…
Peer Navigators are trained Ribbon Community staff members who share the experience of living with HIV and/or navigating substance use disorder and addiction.
Peer Navigators are available to:
- share experiences living with HIV and making changes to substance use
- unpack health information from health care providers without stigma
- support decision making about treatment, care, and medications for HIV and substance use
- discuss if, how, and when to disclose an HIV status, including rights and legal considerations
- provide referrals, connections, and accompaniments
- discuss complementary and alternative therapies, and cultural medicines
- answer questions about undetectable = untransmissible, ways to have HIV-negative children and ways of having sex with zero risk of passing HIV
- strengthen and develop self-advocacy skills when working with health and social services
- connect people with services in the community
- assist with appointment reminders and transportation arrangements
- debrief appointments and community services
- offer strategies to incorporate health into your daily routine
- connect with other people living with HIV
In-person peer support
Peer Navigators provide in-person support to all people living with HIV in the Lower Mainland, and Greater Victoria, as well as patients at John Ruedy Clinic, Oak Tree Clinic, and Rapid Access Addictions Clinic. No referral is needed to speak to a Peer Navigator.
To speak to a Peer Navigator at Positive Health Services, call or text 604-315-1968.
To speak to a Peer Navigator at John Ruedy Clinic, call 604-682-2344 and dial extension 2263894.
In Greater Victoria and surrounding communities:
In Vancouver, Surrey, and the Lower Mainland:
Online and phone peer support
Peer Navigators are available to connect with youth and newcomer women anywhere in British Columbia by phone, text, email, and video chat.
No referral is needed to speak to a Peer Navigator.
Youth living with HIV
From early childhood through early adulthood, youth anywhere in British Columbia can access our peer support by text, phone, email, and video chats:
Newcomer women living with HIV
Trans and cisgender women who have come to Canada from other countries anywhere in British Columbia can access our peer support by text, phone, email, and video chats:
