A NEW national support centre is ­being launched in Glasgow to help families affected by HIV.

Confident Families is the largest initiative yet, aimed at the friends and family of people who have been ­diagnosed with the virus.

The Terrence Higgins Trust claim the impact of an HIV diagnosis on friends and family members is often "overlooked".

The charity says relatives often have very specific issues, from a partner needing information on how to stay HIV-negative or a young person struggling to come to terms with a parent's diagnosis.

The project will cover the NHS regions of Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Lanarkshire, Ayr- shire & Arran, Fife, Forth Valley, Lanarkshire, and Tayside.

Although it will be based at the charity's Douglas Street project in Glasgow, meetings will be held in each area, offering a forum for people to speak with others who have had similar experiences.

They will also have access to tailored one-on-one advice from ­project staff on a range of issues.

These include welfare rights, debt, employment, health, social care and pre/post natal support and ­counselling will also be offered.

Currently, there are more than 5500 people in Scotland with HIV.

Last year, 350 people were diagnosed with the condition in the country.

Robert McKay, ­National Director for Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland, said: "Being diagnosed with HIV is such a life-changing event for the individual concerned that the knock-on effect for their loved ones can be overlooked.

"Friends and family members need support too, especially if they don't know much about the condition themselves.

"They may not realise that HIV is a manageable condition, or that people with the virus can live long and healthy lives.

"By helping friends and family to come to terms with a loved one's diagnosis, and bringing their understanding of the condition up to date, we hope our new project will strengthen the support networks of people affected by HIV across Scotland."

Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland has a range of volunteer roles on offer for local people interested in supporting the project.

For further information, or to get involved, contact 0141 332 3838, or e-mail confident families@tht.org.uk

caroline.wilson@ eveningtimes.co.uk