Health Initiatives - Clint Walters

When Clint Walters was only 17 years old, He suddenly became struck down with a range of illnesses after completing my first year of A-Levels. Clint went into the hospital for what he was told was just some “routine tests”. His mum was sitting right next to me when the doctor told me the news “He was diagnosed HIV positive.” He knew his life would never be the same again, with no preparation whatsoever and very little information on HIV/AIDS – He honestly believed I was just given a death sentence. At that point in time, He did not have anyone or anywhere to turn to. He found a support group in London and traveled alone for the two-hour round trip every week. Even though he was the only young person to attend the group - the group members were older gay men - He kept going. It was all he had. Health Initiatives was founded in April 1999, as his answer to the lack in peer support services for HIV positive youth in this country. Young people living with HIV/AIDS are in desperate need of services encouraging their involvement. After traveling around the UK and working closely with a number of youth-run HIV organizations in San Francisco, California, He returned to London to set-up a youth project over here. Testing HIV positive at the age of 17 is a earth shattering and unimaginable turning point in any young person’s life. The young people HI supports are often isolated without even the support of their parents or family members. HI services are built upon a number of agencies and approaches to sexual health and young people’s involvement key to the success of programmes.