Jarran Heywood

By Jessica Bouyamourn

Just days ahead of the official opening of the new Queensland Positive People building, I was given the pleasure of meeting Jarran Heywood; one of our community’s hardest working young men. Jarran was kind enough to open up to me about his role as Project Worker for the QPP, the people he admires, his extensive travels, as well as his desire to bring the community together to support each other.

Still recovering from his recent injury (a broken arm in 3 places no less), Jarran showed me around the new state of the art building in East Brisbane. Jarran is a passionate and selfless guy, a dedicated pillar of strength at QPP and enthusiastic worker in the health projects.

Originally hailing from Melbourne, QPP is Jarran's first and only job in Queensland. A small organisation, with only 6 members of staff, of which only 2 are project workers. Jarran does a lot of travelling for QPP, heading all round QLD.

Having moved to Paris at 16 Jarran is no stranger to seeing the world and putting himself out there. He told me of his love of travel, which has taken him all round the world, exploring Europe as a teenager and living and working in China for a year. Although Jarran’s not tempted to head off anytime soon; being too much of a fan of creature comforts. He is inspired by people he’s met along the way, friends and travellers who keep exploring and seeing the world.

Jarran also finds inspiration in the early campaigners who gave HIV positive people a voice. Those who made sure the needs of the positive community were acknowledge and heard. He feels this was the beginning of community understanding the issues facing the positive community.

The projects being run from QPP are many and varied, with the support and information being available online to reach all round Queensland. One of the most successful projects is the newly diagnosed workshop; helping those who have just been diagnosed with HIV to manage their own health. Other key events Jarran works on are Planet Positive, a monthly meet in Brisbane and orchestrating social events all round QLD. Jarran largely acts as a hub of information for people all round QLD to meet, socialise and support each other. 

Jarran is very keen for the community at large to be involved and is always looking for volunteers and for help at the brand spanking new centre, even if just for an hour a month. He’s enthusiastic about people helping people, and if anyone wants to get in touch just give him a call.