We're becoming an HIV Confident organisation

Launching this work around World AIDS Day reflects the Council’s commitment to taking action not just raising awareness on HIV inclusion. The commitment, made in partnership with National AIDS Trust’s HIV Confident programme, reflects the Council’s longstanding dedication to equality, inclusion and improving health outcomes. 

Cabinet member for health, adult social care, voluntary sector and culture, Cllr Chris Kennedy said: “I am proud that we as a Council are taking this important step towards becoming an HIV Confident organisation. World AIDS Day reminds us how far we’ve come, but also how much stigma and misinformation still harm people living with HIV. 

“By beginning this process, we are committing to increase understanding, challenge discrimination and build a workplace and a borough  where everyone feels respected, supported and able to thrive.”

HIV Confident is a national framework that supports organisations to improve staff knowledge about HIV, challenge misconceptions, reduce stigma, and ensure that people living with HIV feel respected, safe, and included. As part of this early phase, Hackney Council has committed to:

• Increasing employee knowledge about HIV
  
  
• Improving attitudes towards people living with HIV
  
  
• Tackling stigma and discrimination within the organisation
  
  
• Providing people living with HIV a way to report any stigma or discrimination they experience.
  
  

To achieve future recognition, the Council will now begin work on the programme’s key components, including:

• Running a staff survey to understand knowledge and attitudes about HIV in the workplace
  
  
• Reviewing policies and procedures using the HIV Confident toolkit
  
  
• Rolling out HIV Confident e-learning for staff
  
  
• Identifying an appropriately skilled staff member to act as an HIV Confident Champion
  
  
• Establishing clear mechanisms for reporting HIV-related stigma or discrimination
  
  
• Monitoring and responding to any of reports of stigma.
  
  

Annie Howard, Senior Programme Manager at HIV Confident, based at National AIDS Trust, said: "We are so excited to see Hackney Council begin their journey to become HIV Confident. This process will see the knowledge, attitudes and confidence around HIV be strengthened amongst Hackney Council staff, contributing to a workplace and borough that champions inclusion, dignity and respect for all.

"The Council's commitment to address HIV-related stigma is a crucial step in normalising how we talk about HIV and sets an invaluable example as one of our first non-pilot local authorities to become a member of the programme. I am looking forward to supporting Hackney through this process, which is essential if we are to achieve our ultimate goal of ending new transmission of HIV across London and the UK."

This work officially begins on World AIDS Day 2025 and will continue throughout 2026.

The HIV Confident programme will provide Hackney with specialist tools, e-learning, communications support and reporting guidance to help create a stigma-free environment for staff and residents. 

For more information, visit: https://www.hivconfident.org.uk/