The Ankali Project

This week the Ankali Project's Tuesday group had a fun night out to welcome new volunteers, and to farewell one of our group members. Bibi shared with us that volunteering at Ankali has opened up her eyes to a new view on life and on giving back to others. We wish her well as she returns to Malaysia and starts her post uni life.

Happy Friday all!
Looking for some fun tonight? The Towards Zero Together crew are having a party mix evening at the Red Rattler in Marrickville. You can expect to see pole dancing, stories by Zyna K, an open mic, and attend for a good cause.
The Towards Zero Together campaign is designed to raise awareness of several issues impacting on the lives of PLHIV. This event is to assist the Towards ZERO Together crew in raising much needed funds to support their participation in a 220km walk from Brussels to Amsterdam

The Ankali project enjoyed a really lovely social event at the Rose of Australia in Erskinville on Friday night. Good people plus good venue equals good fun!

It’s been an absolute honour to take these 11 beautiful souls through the three-day Ankali training over the past two weekends.
WELCOME TO ANKALI.

First two days of the 103rd Ankali training have been completed.
Some feedback from the weekend: • Great introduction to Ankali. • Excellent day – overwhelming and challenging but rewarding and insightful.... • Very thought-provoking sessions and a wonderful supportive environment. • Please thank the Ankali volunteer and clients that came to speak to us today. • I really enjoyed the Ankali Volunteer and Client Panel. It put a real ‘human perspective’ on the work we will be doing. • Very enjoyable – relaxed and welcoming environment. I liked the ethical dilemma scenario and the open discussions. • The sessions were engaging, fun and very informative in a practical real life setting. I now feel so much more confident about how I can be an emotional support volunteer to an Ankali client.
Thank you SO much to the volunteers who came in to support our panels, as well as the volunteers who put on lunch for us.
We are very much looking forward to the final day of training on Saturday.
The 104th Ankali training will take place on 6th, 7th, and 13th October - please help us with spreading the word, and/or calling us on 02 9332 9742 if you're interested to find out more about becoming an Ankali volunteer.
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Day one of the 103rd Ankali training is over.
Wonderful group of intelligent, caring and empathic people gathered and started their Ankali journey.
We’re looking forward to day two tomorrow.

This week is National Volunteer Week and an occasion to look at what it means to give a little and change a lot. Sydney Sexual Health invited the Ankali Project to feature in their podcast and shed some insight on what it's like to volunteer in the HIV sector.
Ankali Volunteer and Group Leader Jason features in the interview to share his experience of why he got involved with the Ankali Project, what he finds rewarding, and how volunteering sustains him. Big thanks to Jason for taking the mic and speaking so well! 😍 😍 🎤 Staff member Tiffany also speaks about her passion for recruiting, training, and supporting volunteers with the Ankali Project, and why volunteers are needed and important.
Listen to this 30 minute interview and add to this conversation about volunteering, it's rewards, the difficulties, and what sustains you.💝

This week is National Volunteer Week. Please see Volunteering Australia website for great resources and information: https://www.volunteeringaustralia.org/nvw /.
Ankali Volunteers provide emotional and social support to people living with HIV who experience social isolation.
The Ankali Project has been around since 1985, and supported more than 2000 volunteers since its inception.
... We are proud of the work of our volunteers - THANK YOU for supporting people with HIV, for supporting the Ankali Project, and for supporting the volunteering community.
If you'd like to find out more about volunteering with Ankali, please DM us, or give us a call: 02 9332 9742.
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Ankali volunteers provide emotional and social support to people living with HIV.
Volunteers are provided with a three-day training program prior to commencing the volunteer role.
Volunteers are supported in emotional support groups each week led by Volunteer Group Leaders.
... As a Volunteer, you'll receive support throughout you Ankali journey by other Volunteers, and the Ankali Social Work staff.
The 103rd Ankali training will take place on 26th, 27th May and 2nd June.
Please contact us on 02 9332 9742 if you're interested in becoming an Ankali Volunteer.
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102nd Ankali training is over, and we're welcoming 15 new volunteers.
Just going through the evaluations this morning;
"The training was excellent - well organised, professional, varied + useful content. The Social Workers were all fantastic - approachable, encouraging, and loved their humor. Thanks so much for having me- feel very luck to be taking part in something so wonderful''.
... It doesn't get better than that.
THANK YOU AND WELCOME TO ANKALI.
We are currently accepting applications for the 103rd Ankali training in May. Please get in contact with us if you'd like more information; 02 9332 9742.
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Today, March 20 2018, marks the 35th World Social Work Day.
This year's theme is: 'Promoting Community and Environmental Sustainability'.
The Ankali Project service model is, and has always been, heavily influenced by social work values: 'Respect for persons', 'Social Justice', and 'Professional Integrity' (AASW Code of Ethics).
... All of our Ankalis, whether past or present, are part of a legacy and a community of volunteers - who support people living with HIV who experience social isolation.
We stand in solidarity with Social Work around the world- and give thanks to our colleagues from around the globe.
We are as proud of our profession as we are of our volunteers.
Happy World Social Work Day!
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The three-day 102nd Ankali Training started over the weekend.
From the staff point of view, it was such a great experience for us getting to know everyone better, and facilitating the weekend.
It seems the volunteer hopefuls also enjoyed the training. Here are some of their reflections:
... “Great couple of days… today (2nd day) felt ‘more real’ Thank you”
“Everything was fantastic. Really enjoyed the workshop today!”
“Today’s activities were very important because it gave us a real taste of what it is to come once we become Ankali volunteers”
“Everything was great I really enjoyed gaining a firsthand experience into seeing and meeting PLWHIV”
We're so looking forward to seeing everyone for the final day of training this upcoming Saturday.
We're currently accepting applications for the 103rd Training taking place on 26th, 27th May and 2nd June.
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Today is International Women’s Day and tomorrow is Australia’s National Day of Women Living with HIV. The Ankali Project supports female clients and female volunteers, and has long employed female staff members (for 20 + years). Without the contribution of these women in the Ankali Project, we wouldn’t be the community that we are.
Globally, there are more women than men living with HIV. In Australia, 10 per cent, or about 3,000 people living with HIV are women. While this is... a smaller percentage, Australian women do live with the condition, and testing for HIV should be something women include as part of their regular sexual health check up. Tomorrow’s National Day of Women Living with HIV was established by the Femfatales to celebrate women living with the virus and to combat the stigma they face.
Pozhet is a NSW wide service supporting heterosexual people living with HIV. This Saturday March 10th they’re holding a celebration for women. Morning tea is offered and the opportunity to connect with other women.
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The Ankali Project is at Fair Day today. We're enjoying good vibes, sunshine, and chats about our volunteer program. Come and say hi

Fair Day 2018
Come and say hi - we're looking forward to seeing you.

It's official - Fair Day 2018 is ON!
Together with the Albion Centre, The Ankali Project will be holding a stall at this year's Fair Day - on Sunday Feb 18th, in Victoria Park.
The stall will have staff from Albion Centre, as well as staff and volunteers from The Ankali Project.
... Please come visit us, bring a friend, and sign up to get more information about the upcoming three Ankali training session weekends we have planned for 2018.
Remember: stay hydrated, slip, slop, slap, look after each other, and HAVE FUN.
Happy Mardi Gras, everyone!
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