A HIV diagnosis can be daunting, but support and understanding make all the difference. The Learning to Live Well with HIV course, delivered by Terrance Higgins Trust, METRO, Positive East and Positively UK, helps people build confidence, share experiences and take control of their health. With real improvements in wellbeing and quality of life, the programme is empowering people across London to live well and thrive
1. What challenge were we trying to solve?
A HIV diagnosis can be life-changing — and not everyone has the information, confidence or support network they need to manage it well.
Many people living with HIV in London aren’t aware of the support available beyond clinical care, and some healthcare professionals don’t yet know about the Learning to Live Well with HIV course. As a result, fewer people are referred, and the course isn’t reaching everyone who could benefit.
This initiative set out to change that.
Our goal is to run four courses by June 2025, each supporting up to 12 people recently diagnosed with HIV (within the last three years, or longer if they need extra support).
The aim:
- Help people build skills and confidence to manage their HIV.
- Improve quality of life and wellbeing.
- Increase referrals and awareness among clinicians, peer support workers and community organisations.
- Boost attendance and completion rates for the course.
2. What did we do?
To make the course more accessible and relevant, the team introduced new ways to engage both participants and referrers:
Pre-Course Meetings
Participants were invited to one-to-one meetings (in person or on Zoom) before the course began. These sessions helped ease concerns, answer questions and prepare people to take part confidently.
Stronger Peer Support Connections
In-clinic peer support workers (PSWs) were trained to talk about the course with newly diagnosed individuals and add it to their referral checklist.
Better Promotion
New flyers and posters were designed for clinics and community spaces, encouraging people to speak with a peer support worker to find out more.
Collaboration and Coordination
The team worked with the Bloomsbury Network to align course dates, ensuring there were no overlaps and giving people more options to attend.
Targeted Referrals
Information about the course was shared at peer training days and multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings, helping clinicians and support workers refer more effectively.
3. What impact have we seen so far?
Course Delivery and Engagement
The third course took place in October–November 2024, bringing the total number of participants to 24.
Survey Results: Real Improvements in Wellbeing
All participants completed surveys before and after the course. The results showed positive change across all 10 quality-of-life measures.
Highlights include:
- People feel more in control of their HIV, up 64%.
- 73% of people said their overall quality of life had improved after the course
Participant feedback:
“I thought the session was great! It was daunting at first, but hearing everyone’s story – in a way the same story, just in different forms – was honestly very comforting.”
Attendance and referrals
- 25 referrals or expressions of interest for Course 3
- 9 registered, 5 attended
- Referrals are increasing, including direct referrals from peer support workers
Diversity and representation
Participants came from 16 London boroughs, representing a wide range of backgrounds:
- Ethnicity: 17% Black African, 16% White British, 13% Asian, smaller groups from White Irish, White Other, Arab and Mixed ethnicities (30% preferred not to answer)
- Gender: 71% male, 21% female, 4% non-binary
- Age: Most were aged 25-34 (59%), 35-44 (13%), 55+ (3%)
4. Why this matters
Learning to Live Well with HIV helps people feel empowered, informed and connected – breaking down stigma and showing that a HIV diagnosis doesn’t define who you are.
By working together, Terrance Higgins Trust, Positive East and Positively UK are reaching more Londoners, strengthening peer connections and helping people truly live well with HIV.