Families Feel Stronger Together at our October Residential Weekend
Angelina Namiba, Chiva Associate and 4M Network, reflects on our October Families’ Weekend.
Our sixth families’ weekend started off amidst a lot of disruption; heavy storms, trees on rail lines and a lot of delays. In spite of all this, 17 families, comprising 25 adults (including 10 dads), and 26 children aged from 1 to 16 all managed to make their way to the picturesque Oxford countryside that was to be our home for the long weekend in October 2026.
Family walk
The weekend residential, now named ‘Stronger Together’ by the families who attend, provides a space for families to: connect; share stories and strategies of living well with HIV together; explore how to improve family communication about HIV and also to allow for some much-needed self-care and wellbeing activities.
As is tradition, we offered a range of informational activities. These included a session on HIV updates, treatments, science, what’s new for parents/carers and one on sexual health education for young people. These two sessions were in response to a request from the last families’ weekend.
Wellbeing sessions for parents/carers included mindfulness and pebble painting, and a session on creative writing and journaling.
Outward bound activities for children and young people included archery, bushcraft, fencing and cycling.
A creche was also available for the younger ones throughout the weekend. This gave parents/carers a much-needed break and also enabled them to participate fully in the different activities.
At the start of the weekend, a number of returning parent/carers shared their experiences of attending the residential for the first time and what impact it had on them as a family. All three parent/carers who spoke did an amazing job in reassuring the many families who were attending for the first time.
An important part of the weekend is to provide a space to enable family communication, where attendees participate as family units. These family sessions were:
- Our group tree activity, where we captured family thoughts and feelings on arrival, throughout the weekend and then also on the final day.
- Our family tree of journeys, where each family created a visual journey map or tree together.
- Building stronger communication and creating conversations at home, where we used conversation prompt cards, and families created and shared related tips and topics of things they would do when they went home to ensure they continued conversations about HIV.
Other family fun activities included a film night and Karaoke evening.
The residential also provides a safe space for conversations around naming HIV for children who need more information and for parents who are ready for their children to be told, but who need support. Some naming work was provided by the team.
Throughout the weekend, we noticed how natural friendships formed and just how much families reassured and supported each other. This truly reflects just how much stronger families truly are when they get together in a safe and supportive space.
The quotes below reflect how parents/carers felt at the end of the weekend.
“I’ve never attended before, but I felt at home. Everyone was very friendly.”
“I was dragged here by my heels. I don’t really like being around people. But this weekend has opened doors for connections.” (Dad who attended for the first time)
“I don’t want it to end. Last year we left crying. But this year we have courage, meeting new friends. We are stronger now.”
“This is our third time. We feel hopeful. Previously we felt heavy.”
“Bright, positive and hopeful about the future.”
“I have courage now. I’ve met kindred spirits. Kids and adults.”
“I feel knowledgeable, I learnt a lot, I am not alone, meeting other families. I enjoyed every moment.”
