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The Inner West Neighbourhood Aid is launching new services for people living with HIV/AIDS, writes Adam Bub.
“We really want to start to meet, and provide services for, people living with HIV/AIDS in this area,” says Paolo Polimeni, Social Support Program Manager of Inner West Neighbourhood Aid Inc (IWNA), a not-for-profit community-based organisation that provides social support and practical aid to the frail elderly, the disabled, and their carers in the local government areas of Ashfield, Strathfield, Canada Bay and Burwood.
With over 15 years’ experience, IWNA runs services including home visitation, assisted shopping and outings, and is extending these services to people living with HIV/AIDS.
“We realised that there are lots of services in the city, like the Ankali Project in Surry Hills, but not the inner west,” Polimeni tells SX. “And there are lots of people living with HIV/AIDS in this area.”
He adds that inflation and the rise of housing costs is likely to push people from the city into the inner west, which makes the need for services in the area more urgent.
IWNA plan to advocate on behalf of clients with HIV/AIDS if they have problems with discrimination or access to information or services, according to Polimeni. On an everyday basis, IWNA hopes to reduce the social isolation of people living with HIV/AIDS.
“It’s not always easy or possible to talk about feelings of solitude, loneliness, or feeling that people don’t even realise you are experiencing an emotional problem,” he tells SX.
Polimeni also asserts that specific outings for people living with HIV/AIDS are definitely possible, since the clients may be from a different demographic to the mostly elderly users of the services. “We don’t have an official client yet,” he says, “but when we do I will interview them to find out what people in the area need.”
The regular mini-outings have proved to be exceedingly popular. “It’s not just about having two bags of grocery shopping or a full fridge,” says Polimeni. “It’s about being part of a community and keeping independence and feeling happy at any age or in any condition.”
IWNA currently has over 400 clients, whose feedback is very important. “It’s normally positive. But if something is not working properly, we intervene immediately,” says Polimeni.
The charity wants new volunteers to join its team, especially those interested in helping people living with HIV/AIDS. At least one hour every fortnight is required though some volunteers do 4-5 hours a week. “Volunteers will not be on their own – they always have support from the staff, and are offered professional counselling.”
In a team of nine staff employed by the Department of Ageing and Disabilities, Polimeni manages over 70 volunteers and eight different services. IWNA is currently seeking donations from $2 to buy a second-hand mini-bus to facilitate the demand for mini-outings.
At the end of the day, it’s the clients’ happiness that matters. “Every time I see a smile on someone’s face, or see someone who’s usually at home finally socialising with us, we’ve reached that big goal,” says Polimeni. “By simply helping someone to live his or her daily life a bit better – there are no ways to describe that kind of gratification.”
For more information on the services, or to become a volunteer or make a donation for the mini-bus, call Paolo on 9799 5099 or email
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