It’s been a while since I was in The HIV Support Centre in Belfast. A number of things have stopped me getting in since January, principally I’ve just been too busy. But today, that changed. I was in for an aromatherapy session – and I was very glad of it too.

The aromatherapy sessions of which all clients of The HIV Support Centre are able to avail are excellent. They really help the general wellbeing of everyone. While there may be no medical evidence that they help fight the actual HIV, they do (in my experience) assist with relaxation, easing of general muscle and joint pains, and most of all they provide vital caring, touch from another human being. For many people this may be the only time that they have any such touch. It is not a sexual thing, but a loving, caring feeling.