Achieving HIV Confident status reflects lots of work fighting HIV stigma, delivered across the organisation. This included staff engagement activity, awareness raising, HIV e-learning, internal communications campaigns, and the development of policies and practices that support people living with HIV. The process took a total of 18 months and included a large variety of staff members at Lambeth Council.
Cllr Jeremy Isaacs, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care (job share), said: “This is a significant achievement for Lambeth and absolutely in line with our commitments to tackle health inequalities and promote inclusion. It’s also key to delivering on our ambitions as the host borough for the London HIV Prevention Programme (LHPP), which is commissioned on behalf of participating London boroughs and a Fast Track Cities partner working towards ending new HIV transmissions and HIV stigma.”
Councillor Sam Dorney-Smith, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care (job share), said: “We are also so excited to be the first council to achieve this. It was a huge collective effort for the whole organisation, and I’m so pleased we can safely say Lambeth is a leader in tackling HIV stigma and promoting inclusion.”
HIV Confident, which awards the status, is the UK’s largest anti-HIV stigma programme addressing HIV-related stigma within organisations. They support organisations to strengthen knowledge, attitudes and confidence around HIV, building inclusive, respectful and welcoming workplaces and services.
Annie Howard, Senior Programme Manager at HIV Confident, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to recognise Lambeth Council as our first HIV Confident local authority. Already a leading London borough in the HIV space, and as a high-prevalence area for HIV, Lambeth has made a lasting commitment to identify and address HIV-related stigma wherever it is found. People living with HIV in Lambeth – whether they are council staff or those accessing the council’s services – can be assured that they will be welcomed into safe, inclusive spaces where those around them understand what it means to live with HIV today.”
