London HIV Ambassador Programme

The London HIV Ambassador Programme brings together key organisations, community leaders and influencers to mobilise and champion innovative strategies for HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.

This three-year project tackles societal stigma and supports London’s ambition of reaching zero HIV stigma in London by 2030.

The team behind our Positive Voices programme is working with National AIDS Trust, along with partners Positively UK and NAM aidsmap, who are delivering the HIV Confident Charter for Fast-Track Cities London. This new partnership is committed to making a lasting impact on the health and well-being of London's diverse communities.

• Recruit and train people living with HIV to act as ambassadors, sharing their personal experience to help highlight and eliminate HIV stigma.
• Educate different parts of the health and social care sector and other organisations about HIV. This includes nursing homes, NHS trusts, other frontline services, non-statutory organisations, and nursing and medicine students.
• Work with National AIDS Trust and Fast-Track Cities London to support the HIV Confident Charter to develop a free, online training package, for organisations and all Londoners, to improve HIV awareness and reduce stigma.
• Seek and promote opportunities for community ambassadors to work within and outside of the HIV sector.
• Tackle internalised stigma for people living with HIV and societal stigma and discrimination with proven methods that increase awareness, educate the public and challenge societal norms.

'It is very exciting that the team behind Terrence Higgins Trust's Positive Voices – a programme developed and led by people living with HIV to combat stigma through live and personal testimony – has been chosen to deliver the London HIV Ambassador Programme.

'I see time and time again how those we train speak about their lived experience to audiences of all kinds and change hearts and minds while doing so. They inspire me and many others. This partnership will help us reach more people in the capital and beyond.'

Richard Angell, Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust

'Being a Positive Voices speaker has allowed me to use my story to help people to understand the devastating impact HIV stigma can have when it goes unchallenged. Being an Ambassador for the programme allows me to use my story to help change the culture in organisations in the health and care sector, and beyond.

'Terrence Higgins Trust is well placed to lead the way in enabling HIV Ambassadors to use the power of our stories to change people’s perceptions about HIV. I’m looking forward to working alongside the other great organisations delivering the HIV Confident Charter to create a culture that will provide people living with HIV with the confidence we need to access services without fear of stigma.'

Pank Sethi, Positive Voices Speaker and London HIV Ambassador

The programme aims to represent the broad range of diversity within the HIV community.

If you have lived experience of HIV and are passionate about tackling stigma, apply to be an ambassador now.

Our ambassadors give HIV awareness training in London, including training tailored specifically to health and care professionals, using stories of lived experienced from those living with HIV.

Request training session for your organisation.

If you have any questions about the London HIV Ambassador Programme, email us at [email protected] .