Ken's story

Ken was experiencing a lot of trouble with the immigration authorities and his health was failing. One of his major issues was the isolation he felt through not being able to confide in anyone about his HIV positive status. Immigration wrangles made him feel even more ill and depressed, so after a few meetings I suggested to him that he might like to enrol as a volunteer with Terrence Higgins Trust.

Ken applied to be a volunteer, was accepted and underwent the training that we offer. This gave him a renewed sense of purpose to his life as, rather than just brooding about his immigration status, he now had something to occupy himself. He has since become a regular in the office and has recently been trying to start a peer support group for African men living in Glasgow.

Ken says: 'Although my immigration status has not yet been normalised, I wake up every morning knowing that I have a place to go and where I will accomplish something.

'I am also getting back my life skills so that, should I get the right to stay and work in Scotland, I will be able to navigate the system with so much more ease.'

Would you like to volunteer for Terrence Higgins Trust? Volunteers play a vital role in everything that we do - from helping to deliver frontline services to helping with admin, everyone who volunteers is valued beyond measure. Our roles range from refugee mentors to reception volunteers to working as an HIV outreach officer.

Whatever your strengths and interests, we have roles to suit you; so contact our volunteer office to find out how you can help us to help others. To find out more visit: www.tht.org.uk/howyoucanhelpus/volunteering