Nationwide Meeting of People Living with HIV
Nationwide Meetings of People Living with HIV have been held in Poland for many years, organized by various organizations. In 2026, Bridge of Hope is organized by the Sisters group in collaboration with the Family Development Association (TRR), the “Be with Us” (Bądź z Nami) Association, and the Parasol Foundation.
The organization of this meeting is made possible through a grant from the National AIDS Center. Funding for “Sisters”: PLN 48,850, Funding for TRR: PLN 37,475, Total Project Value: PLN 96,925
The meeting is scheduled for September 17–20 at the “Bałtyk” Holiday Resort in Stegna (near Gdańsk).
We plan to host 80 participants this year, balancing long-time attendees with those coming for the first time. To ensure no spots are wasted, a waiting list will be established, so please notify us of any cancellations as early as possible.
Tentative Schedule
| May 7 – August 30 | Participant recruitment |
| September 17, 2026 | Arrival of participants, commencement of the meeting, ice-breaking activities |
| September 18–19, 2026 | Lectures, workshops, and individual sessions |
| September 18–19, 2026 | Remembrance of those who have passed, traditional masquerade ball |
| September 20, 2026 | Conclusion and departure |
ATTENTION! Registration is now over!
Regulations: [Meeting Regulations OSOH 2026]
Donation Account (IBAN): PL10 1090 1854 0000 0001 6207 7547, (Swift Code): WBKPPLPP
Outline Event Schedule
| Thursday, September 17 | ||
| 12:00 – 13:00 | Participant gathering in front of Gdańsk Główny Main Railway Station Coach transfer to Stegna |
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| 14:00 | Arrival at the resort, registration | |
| 16:00 – 16:30 | Organizational meeting | Paweł Ziemba Joanna Dec–Pietrowska |
| 21:00 – 23:00 | Icebreaker evening | Sister Ursula de Volaille |
| Friday, September 18 | ||
| 10:00 – 13:30 | Elective workshops block | Workshops |
| 15:30 – 17:00 | Meeting with the Doctor | dr Joanna Osińska |
| 10:00 – 13:30 15:30 – 17:00 |
Individual psychological consultations | dr Maciej Skibiński dr Maria Brodzikowska |
| 17:00 – 18:30 | Elective workshops block | |
| 18:30 – 19:00 | Commemoration of those who passed away | Bartosz Kasperski, Sisters |
| 21:00 – 24:00 | Traditional masquerade ball Selection of Ball King & Queen Surprise Guest |
DQ Gloria Victis |
| Saturday, September 19 | ||
| 10:00 –13:30 | Elective workshops block | |
| 15:30 – 18:00 | Elective workshops block | |
| 10:00 – 13:30 15:30 – 18:00 |
Individual psychological consultations | dr Maciej Skibiński dr Maria Brodzikowska |
| 16:00 – 18:00 | Memorial quilt | Paweł Ziemba |
| 21:00 – 24:00 | Bingo with the Sisters featuring HIV Trivia Quiz | Sister Mary Read Sister Ursula de Volaille |
| Sunday, September 20 | ||
| 8:00 – 9:00 | Closing / Wrap-up | Organizers |
| 10:00 | Coach departure to Gdańsk | |
Anonymous sign-ups for specific time slots are required. Consultations will take place in a private room and will be conducted by two specialists:Dr. Maciej Skibiński – coping with anxiety and loneliness in the context of living with HIV
Dr. Maria Brodzikowska – problematic chemsex, harm reduction
Elective Workshops
We offer a range of sessions across four workshop blocks. They will be scheduled so participants can attend several of their top choices. Each workshop lasts 2 academic hours.
- Informed Consent – led by Dr. Joanna Dec–Pietrowska
- Emotions – led by Dr. Joanna Dec–Pietrowska, Dr. Maria Brodzikowska
- The ABCs of Sex – led by dr Joanna Dec–Pietrowska
- The Pursuit of Closeness and Acceptance: Old Wounds, the Present, and How to Cope. – led by Dr. Maciej Skibiński
- Living with HIV – led by Tomasz Siara, Magdalena Glewicz
- Body, Movement, Psychophysical Balance – led by Piotr Gielec
Additional Activities
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- Memorial Gathering – Honoring those who passed away. This is a traditional gathering where we remember friends and loved ones who are no longer with us. We encourage participants to share memories. We will release a bundle of balloons; each balloon can be marked with a name, initials, or another designation for the person being remembered.
- Meeting with a Doctor – This year, Dr. Joanna Osińska from the clinic in Ostróda will join us.
- Memorial Quilt – We will sew a section for our Polish Quilt of Remembrance. Poland lacks permanent physical memorial sites, making the growth of this quilt an important part of our shared identity.
Evening Social Activities
This year, evening activities will be hosted by Drag Queen Gloria Victis, mother of Toruń’s HouseOfTheBills, and the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.
These activities are optional, but participation is highly encouraged. A costume or at least a mask is required for the masquerade ball. During the ball, we will crown the King and Queen of the Ball
We also have a special guest who will perform during the ball.