London’s “Getting to Zero” initiative has made significant strides in 2024–25, aiming to support people with HIV to better engage in care and treatment, by improving their quality of life. The programme, a collaboration between voluntary sector and NHS partners, has delivered impressive results by offering integrated in-clinic peer support which links to mental health services, welfare assistance, and more.
Over the first 10 months, 357 people living with HIV received support from in-clinic peer mentors managed by Metro, Positive East and Positively UK. Furthermore, 25 of London’s 26 HIV clinics now have integrated peer supporters, with efforts underway to include Central Middlesex Hospital, to achieve pan-London access.
From April 2024 to February 2025, the Connect Well mental health support programme received 109 referrals across 28 London boroughs, providing counselling, life coaching and hypnotherapy. Feedback has been positive, with an increasing diversity of service users, reflecting the programme’s reach and impact.
Four ‘Learning to live well with HIV’ workshops were delivered throughout the year by THT, Positively UK, Metro and Positive East, to help people adjust to their diagnosis in a peer group setting. 35 attendees participated, reporting notable improvements in knowledge, self-esteem, and self-acceptance, highlighting the course’s effectiveness in empowering individuals to live well with HIV.
Six clinics referred 45 individuals into THT’s re-engagement in care project, with 35 successfully reconnecting with services. These individuals were also linked to partners Food Chain, 4M Network and Positive East for additional support around nutrition, housing, immigration, benefits, maternal health, and chemsex, demonstrating a holistic approach to care and addressing unmet needs.
A total of 368 people accessed welfare advice from Positively UK, securing over £565,000 in benefits. The most common issues addressed included housing insecurity, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) changes, and transitions in Universal Credit. With housing and immigration identified as significant unmet needs, additional support services are being procured and are awaiting recruitment to launch.
The “Getting to Zero” programme continues to make significant progress in supporting individuals living with HIV across London, demonstrating the power of collaborative efforts in tackling health inequalities and improving quality of life.