Healthlink Worldwide

The Memory Work Trainer's Manual

The memory work trainer's manual guides trainers through a course to support parents, guardians and carers affected by HIV and AIDS, by helping them to:

• Share information, hopes and fears with their children
• Strengthen each child's sense of identity and belonging
• Plan for the future care of their children

The manual is written to support trainers with all levels of experience, but all with need some basic HIV and AIDS training and knowledge. It guides trainers through a course that is designed to be delivered to:

• Parents and other family members living with HIV and AIDS
• Future guardians of children affected by HIV and AIDS
• Community workers and volunteers working with children and families affected by HIV and AIDS

The training can be delivered to people with varying levels of education and we encourage the adaption of the manual to suit local needs. The manual can also be adapted to train future trainers to deliver the course.

The manual draws significantly on the experiences and ideas of NACWOLA trainers and trainees, as well as those of Healthlink Worldwide and others. We see it as a living document that can be adapted and improved over time, informed by our growing experience.

The course consists of 12 modules. Ideally all twelve modules should be covered. However, the course has been designed to be as flexible so if there is not enough time, or if you decide as a group that you do not need particular modules, it is possible to drop some of them. Module 1, the introductory session, guides you and your participants on how to prioritise and negotiate which modules to cover. Modules 1 and 12 are essential and should not be dropped.

You can download the whole manual or separate modules as PDF files.

Download the whole manual (144 pages 716 KB)

Or click on the links below to download each section as a PDF

• Preface and introduction for the trainer and key words and phrases used in the manual (14 pages, 103 KB)

1. Introduction to the course (6 pages, 63 KB)
2. What we need to know about child development (7 pages, 80 KB)
3. Parenting styles and parent-child relationships (5 pages, 67 KB)
4. Improving communication between parents/carers/guardians and children (8 pages, 79 KB)
5. Disclosing HIV status (16 pages, 109 KB)
6. Helping children cope with separation, loss and grief (10 pages, 93 KB)
7. Planning for your children's futures (5 pages, 70 KB)
8. Involving children in planning for their futures (6 pages, 68 KB)
9. Preparing for new family or care relationships (10 pages, 88 KB)
10. Making a memory book (16 pages, 126 KB)
11. Legal guardianship and making a will (12 pages, 94 KB)
12. Closing the course (6 pages, 65 KB)

• Appendix 1. Key course materials (4 pages, 105 KB)
• Appendix 2. Legal contracts and resources (3 pages, 37 KB)
• Appendix 3. Resources (11 pages, 83 KB)

You can request a manual by email at info@healthlink.org.uk

You may also find our River of Hope discussion guide and video useful. The video (and guide) was produced as part of the Child Centred Aproaches to HIV and AIDS project. It aims to help children and adults find ways to communicate more openly about issues of HIV and AIDS. The discussion guide is free to download. The video can be ordered from Healthlink Worldwide. Price: £10. Email: info@healthlink.org.uk

River of Hope discussion guide (PDF 20 pages, 805 KB)