Highland Services
We have three support teams based across Highland - our Community Support Team, SX Team and Wave Highland Team. Choose from the options below to find out more about the services we offer, and how they can support you. All of our services are available on self-referral and if you’d like to find out more, you can call us on 01463 711 585.
HIV doesn't discriminate. And we all have sexual health. That’s why our services are as diverse as the people we support.
If you need help with HIV or sexual health in Highland, we’re here to support you in whatever ways you need.
Our services are flexible to your needs and we can meet you at our office or, in a place that is comfortable for you. We offer a safe, welcoming environment where you can talk openly without judgement or stigma.
We offer a range of one to one support services across Highland including:
- helping you cope with a new diagnosis, think positively about the future and understand treatment
- helping you to improve your mental health and wellbeing and empowering you to cope with life’s ups and downs in a safe, supportive environment
- helping you to look after your physical health and wellbeing, manage HIV treatment and access local complementary therapies
- helping you to set goals, learn new skills, and access training, employment and education
- supporting you with everyday activities such as getting to appointments, managing daily tasks and adhering to HIV treatment
- how to talk to your family, friends and others about HIV and sexual health
- Linking you up with other services that can help you live well with HIV, such as housing, money management, immigration and asylum services
- dedicated one to one support for gay, bisexual and all men who have sex with men through our SX service
If you want to find out how we can support you or, to speak with a member of our team, get in touch.
Telling other people that you have HIV can be a scary time for anyone.
There’s a lot to think about, from figuring out who to tell, to thinking about how and when to tell them.
We’re here to support you every step of the way, using our 30 years experience to give you the advice and support you need throughout your journey.
As part of this, our teams in Highland can also support your family, friends and others to better understand HIV and sexual health.
If you would like to find out how we can support you, your family, friends or others, get in touch with us for more information.
We offer HIV and sexual health advice to anyone living in Highland, and can also provide advice on lots of topics related to these issues.
Our three teams can support you with:
- how to cope with a new diagnosis, think positively about the future and understand treatment
- how to talk to family, friends and others about HIV, and sexual health
- how HIV and sexual health can impact on your mental health and wellbeing and, how to cope with life's ups and downs
- how to take care of your physical health and wellbeing when living with HIV
- understanding, managing and adhering to HIV and treatment
- how to set goals and get involved in training, employment and education
- where to get additional support for issues related to HIV and sexual health, such as housing, money management, addiction support, immigration and asylum services
Our teams can also provide you with specialist advice on:
- Sex, health and wellbeing for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men through our SX service
- Sexual health and wellbeing for young people through our Wave Highland service
For more information or, to speak with a member of our team, get in touch.
If you live in the Highlands or Argyll and Bute, we can send you free condoms and lubricant. Using condoms and lubricant can help prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Please be aware that our Condoms by Post scheme is available only if you are living in the Highlands or Argyll and Bute.
How to Order
To place your, please complete our online order form.
Delivery
- You will need to reorder each time you need a new delivery.
- Materials are posted in plain packaging to maintain confidentiality
- One order request per person will be accepted every 3 months. Please note orders are processed fortnightly - we appreciate your patience.
If you need condoms more urgently or, if you live in the Inverness area, you can collect condoms from our office - just give us a call.
If you live outside the Highlands, Argyll and Bute, unfortunately, due to funding, we are unable to send you condoms. You can find local services in your area by visiting the Sexual Health Scotland site, or by contacting your nearest Waverley Care office.
As we are a charity with limited funding and supplies, we would greatly appreciate if you order only what you need. Thank you!
Contact Details:
Waverley Care Highland
6 Ardross St
Inverness
IV3 5NN
Tel: 01463 711585
We offer HIV testing to anyone who wants to know their status in Highland.
We also provide HIV rapid testing for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men through our SX service
Getting tested is quick and painless, and is available for free. If you’ve got any worries or concerns you can read our guides to HIV testing here and hepatitis C testing here.
If you're thinking about getting an HIV test, you can speak with a member of our team to find out what options you have available. Get in touch.
We offer a monthly drop-in testing clinic and community testing appointments for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men through our SX service.
The testing clinic provides the opportunity to get a rapid HIV test, as well as free condoms and lube.
The drop-in clinic takes place on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month between 4-6pm in our Inverness office, 6 Ardross St, IV1 1NB.
For more information about the testing clinic, visit the SX website.
We also offer community testing across Highland. Contact us to arrange an appointment.
We offer a range of tailored training and awareness sessions for community groups and professionals across Highland.
All of our training is free and we are happy to deliver sessions in the community or at our office.
Training and awareness session topics include:
Blood Borne Virus Awareness (2 hours)
- This session provides an understanding of Blood Borne Viruses (HIV, hepatitis C and hepatitis B), pathways of transmission, and how the viruses can affect the people who live with them.
Understanding HIV (2 hours)
- This session will explain what HIV is, and how it is transmitted, as well as exploring the impact of living with HIV and the stigma surrounding the virus.
LGBT+ Diversity and Inclusion (2 hours)
- This session will provide an awareness of, and respect for the needs of people with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.
Sexual Health Key Messages (2 hours)
- Key health promotion messages around STIs, condoms and contraception. This session also explores good practice for having sexual health conversations.
Sex and the Law (2 hours)
- This session provides an understanding of how the law relates to sexual behaviour and explores how it is applied to real life situations.
Sexual Pleasure in Health Improvement (2 hours)
- This workshop will explore how promoting pleasure within key messaging around sex and relationships can help reduce stigma and improve health and wellbeing.
Working with Young People: Sex and Relationships (2 hours)
- This session aims to provide increased confidence for those working with young people by exploring how values and attitudes can impact on decision making; what young people want from sexual health and relationships support; and approaches to having difficult conversations.
Chemsex Awareness (2 hours)
- An overview of drug use in sexualized environments by gay and bisexual men, current statistics, drugs used, terminology, reasons for drug use, consequences and effects on sexual health.
GBMSM (Gay, Bisexual and Men who have Sex with Men) and Mental Health (2 hours)
- This session will provide an awareness of issues affecting the mental health and wellbeing of gay, bisexual and all men who have sex with men (GBMSM).
As well as the above, we offer an informal introduction to our work along with a Q&A session.
We can also host conversations around a variety of sexual health topics that last roughly 40mins – 1 hour.
These short sessions are perfect for team meetings or used as update training. For tailored training sessions, please contact highland@waverleycare.org.
Our training is endorsed by NHS Highland. To subscribe to updates about our training in Highland/Argyll & Bute, sign up here.
If you're interested in arranging a training or awareness session, you can get in touch with us for more information.
Living with HIV can affect just about every aspect of your life. Sometimes it’s good to talk to someone who can relate.
At Waverley Care, we can put you in touch with one of our peer mentors – trained volunteers who have lived experience of HIV, who can help you work through some of the challenges you may be facing in your day-to-day life.
If you need support with HIV, peer support can help you in a variety of ways including:
- Thinking positively about the future
- Disclosing your HIV status to family, friends and others
- Increasing your confidence and self-esteem
- Feeling less isolated
- Living well with HIV and managing treatment
In Highland, we offer the following kinds of peer support:
- HIV peer support over the phone
- HIV one-to-one peer support
If you would like to access peer support or, become a Peer Mentor, get in touch with us for advice.
Wave Highland
6 Ardross Street
Inverness
IV3 5NN
T: 01463 711 585
Do you have some spare time to help us smash stigma? Why not get involved in volunteering.
Every day, our amazing volunteers support our work in all sorts of ways, helping make a huge difference to people across Scotland affected by HIV and hepatitis C, and promoting good sexual health.
As if that wasn’t enough of a reason to get involved, volunteering also gives you the chance to gain new skills, get work experience and meet new people.
You can find out more about volunteering with us here, including information about how to apply here.
In Highland, we offer a range of opportunities for you to get involved in volunteering, including:
- Reception Volunteers - Volunteers help to ensure that reception runs efficiently, welcoming visitors and helping them feel comfortable. You’ll be responsible for managing the switchboard and taking messages as well as helping out with general administration tasks.
- Outreach and Support - Opportunities to join a rota supporting outreach work in public places where men have sex with men. The work includes providing advice and resources to promote safer sex (e.g. condoms). In addition, you may be able to support Waverley Care information stalls at a range of events.
- Group Support - Group support volunteers spend a few hours each week being involved in one of our support groups. This involves being part of the group, chatting to people, making sure the space is safe and confidential and getting involved with the planning and delivering of the group activities and events. This role requires a long-term commitment.
- Peer Support and Peer Mentoring - Peer Mentors are individuals who are living with HIV, who are able to use their experience to support others. Support is provided face-to-face or over the phone. Specific training is provided for this role.
- Complementary Therapists - We have volunteers who offer complementary therapies on a weekly basis. Many of our service users benefit from the opportunity to relax and improve their wellbeing. Applications from therapists are welcome.
- Fundraising - Our work is only possible thanks to the generosity of supporters across Scotland. We have lots of opportunities for volunteers to get involved in fundraising, from bucket collections and sponsorship to helping out at events and administrative tasks. If you’re interested in volunteering in fundraising, find out more here or get in touch with the team on 0131 556 9710.
T: 01463 711 585
For general queries, email: info@waverleycare.org
