Fast-Track Cities London (FTC) has commissioned a new £210k pan-London programme to help reduce internalised stigma among people living with HIV. Building on learning from previous empowerment programme work, the initiative will run over the next two years and focus on supporting people who face the greatest barriers to feeling safe, supported and confident following their diagnosis.
The programme is delivered through two complementary delivery partnerships, bringing together voluntary and community sector organisations with a wide range of expertise. This includes counselling and peer support, creative and faith-inclusive approaches, and community-led work to challenge stigma.
One delivery partnership is led by Positively UK, working alongside Africa Advocacy Foundation, METRO Charity, Positive East, Terrence Higgins Trust and Spectra. Together, they will deliver a broad range of one-to-one and group-based support. This includes culturally grounded conversational cafés, HIV-specialist counselling, courses, creative workshops, faith-inclusive group work, and reflective practice for professionals.
Within this partnership, Phoenix Health Movement supports the co-production of multimedia resources and produces specialist video content. This includes work exploring internalised stigma and the experiences of people involved in sex work.
A second delivery partnership is led by Phoenix Health Movement, working with Aymara Social Enterprise and Red Ribbon Living Well. This partnership focuses on community-led stigma reduction through peer-led support groups, one-to-one interventions, group workshops, outreach activity, and training for community champions. It also delivers information sessions, community insight focus groups, and the co-production of short video resources designed to support reflection, conversation and confidence.
Across both delivery partnerships, the programme is rooted in lived experience and co-production. It recognises the intersecting impacts of racism, migration, faith-based stigma, homophobia, transphobia, neurodiversity, gender-based violence, and barriers to accessing mainstream mental health and substance-use support.
“Positively UK is excited to lead one of the delivery partnerships, with Africa Advocacy Foundation, METRO Charity, Positive East, Terrence Higgins Trust and Spectra, bringing together the power and expertise of London’s voluntary sector to challenge stigma and reach people who face the greatest barriers to support. Rooted in lived experience and shaped by listening, learning, and flexibility, we believe this work can make a real difference.” – Silvia Petretti, Chief Executive, Positively UK
“Phoenix Health Movement is delighted to be leading a delivery partnership with Red Ribbon Living Well and Aymara Social Enterprise, focused on supporting people from racially minoritised and migrant communities, who are disproportionately affected by internalised stigma and disadvantage. Working collaboratively across the wider programme, our work is led by lived experience and culturally grounded approaches to support empowerment and wellbeing.” – Susan Cole, Executive Director, Phoenix Health Movement
Updates will be shared as the programme develops, including reflections from partners and from people taking part.