The National Long Term Survivors Group Christmas Weekend

Shallowford House near Eccleshall was the venue for the National Long Term Survivors weekend, which took place in the middle of December. It was the second time that the group had used Shallowford House since soaring costs put the previous Cheltenham base at Glenfall Hall beyond its reach. It was my first visit to the new venue and I thoroughly enjoyed the entire weekend. Surprisingly, I didn't miss the grand trappings and the landscape vistas of Glenfall because the compact arrangement of rooms and the convenience of having everyone under the same roof more than compensated. It added to the feeling of family that is a great characteristic of the group's weekends. The family atmosphere was reinforced by the warm welcome extended to everyone by David the warden and the delicious, homely food prepared for us that included a splendid Christmas dinner on Saturday night.

Each NLTSG weekend offers a chance for people who have been diagnosed HIV+ for five years or more to enjoy respite and positive peer support. This weekend followed the usual pattern of facilitated support in groups run by professional counsellors or facilitators as well as offering complementary therapies such as aromatherapy massage, reflexology, shiatsu and reiki.
Amongst the team of therapists were two familiar local faces Jean and Theresa. As it was ages since I last saw Jean, I chose to have a reflexology session with her and nearly fell off the couch laughing when instead of looking me in the face, she sat down and addressed my toes, saying: "It's nice to see your feet again!"

Throughout the weekend, the ethos of self-help, which is an important feature of the NTLSG, was most evident. People volunteered to run the bar and to help with other tasks to ensure the weekend went well. After the introductory opening circle we had our first scrumptious meal. When we were at Glenfall the group then split up with some people trolling off to enjoy the nightlife of Cheltenham whilst others remained behind to play parlour games or talk. Because of Shallowford's relatively remote location this didn't happen and people came back to the main meeting room for a brief discussion before dividing into small groups in order to get to know one another better. This 'getting to know you' session was so popular that the schedule was rearranged for a repeat on Saturday evening.
As well as a highly successful raffle and an efficiently run bar, there were bingo sessions and perhaps the highlight of the weekend, a cabaret appearance of the incredible, the fabulous, (drum roll!) Dame Bella Donna Plaster. Dame Bella treated us to a rendition of 'Stately as a Galleon' that would have brought a smile to the face of its author Joyce Grenfell, if it didn't make her turn in her grave.
The weekend gives long-term survivors of HIV the opportunity to share experience and knowledge. It offers a chance to catch up with old friends and to make new ones. Another option is to use the weekend to give yourself space and quiet from the pressures of your home situation. The grounds and surrounding countryside offer plenty of opportunities for peaceful walks that permit you to do this. (Allowing for the rumble of the occasional passing Inter City Express through Norton Bridge)

Maurice Greenham