Spiritus Positive Directions is a state-wide care coordination, information and referral service for people living with HIV/AIDS (or PLWHA) in Queensland, with offices in Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville, Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast. 

We link PLWHA to services that they are eligible for.  Some examples include:
• Advocacy Services
• Allied health services
• Community and social support services
• Health promotion programs

Health Promotion Activities
Spiritus Positive Directions has four main health promotion programs, operating at various times through out the year.  These programs are reliant on future funding – please speak to Positive Directions for more information.

Life Enhancement Action Program (LEAP) is a structured group nutrition and exercise program that runs for 8 weeks. Exercise plans are individualized and supervised by a personal trainer and nutrition information sessions are delivered by a qualified dietitian. The program aims to improve cardiovascular health, strength, fitness, nutrition status and psychological health. 

Just Walk It Groups is a community based walking program which uses volunteer walk organizers, trained by the Heart Foundation, to lead small walking groups in their local area.  Walks are planned and are suitable for people of all levels of fitness. They commence at a meeting place and go for 45-60 minutes for 1 or 2 days a week.  The program provides an enjoyable social environment for people to participate in regular physical activity.

Changing Lanes uses a range of behavioural and cognitive (thinking) strategies to target specific aspects of a person’s thinking and reacting to situations. Cognitive strategies assist people to identify, analyse and challenge their thinking whilst behavioural strategies assist in managing physical symptoms, such as rapid breathing, sweating, trembling and lethargy which can be symptomatic of mood disorders. The group CBT program will focus on assisting you to learn skills to help identify and change your negative thinking in a group format.

Chronic Condition Self Management (CCSM) course is run twice a year in Brisbane for PLWHA, along with a partner, family member or carer, to find out about ways to manage their condition and improve their health to live the best possible life with a long term condition.

For more information please visit the Positive Directions website: www.positivedirections.org.au