New HIV Support Service For Ealing

New counselling and support groups available in the borough

Ealing residents affected by HIV will have access to a new range of free services aimed at improving health and wellbeing.

Counselling, life coaching, wellbeing groups, self-management programmes and peer mentoring will all be accessible through the new partnership with Living Well - a not for profit counselling and well being organisation.

43% of the total new diagnosis of HIV cases in England in 2017 were in London. Health workers say despite impressive medical advances in HIV, for some people, living with or being affected by it can impact negatively on their quality of life. There can be barriers, including stigma, that can prevent people from accessing vital and timely care, information and support.

Ealing’s new HIV support services is aimed at helping people to develop key life skills to enhance resilience, build confidence and make healthier choices, within a supportive environment. Improving the health, wellbeing and quality of life of people living with HIV is vital.

In January 2018, The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan signed the Paris Declaration on Fast-Track Cities ending the AIDS epidemic, with London Councils, Public Health England and NHS England. The ambition being to cut the rates of new infections in London and eliminate associated discrimination and stigma.

Ealing Councillor Binda Rai, cabinet member for health and adults services said, “Ealing recognises the importance of improving the health, wellbeing and quality of life of people living with, or affected by HIV. Although much more is understood about the condition, many do not always know the facts about how to protect themselves and others, and living with HIV is a reality for many people. This new HIV support service will help to ensure that communities affected by HIV can access the services they need”

Living Well, working in collaboration with Positively UK have been awarded the new Contract by Ealing Council for 3 years, with the new HIV support services becoming available in community settings across Ealing from April 2019.

For more information and to make a referral visit: www.livingwellcic.com/ealing
call: 020 3137 3373 or email: info@livingwell.cic.com.

March 20, 2019