HIV Stigma Stops Here - Building a Movement for Change

Positive Ambition Manchester, a Manchester‑made HIV training project for the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise [VCSE] sector has been funded by Manchester City Council and delivered by George House Trust. With 74% of people living with HIV still facing stigma as a result of their status, this innovative new project brings together local people, community groups and partners from across the city, all working towards a key goal: a Manchester where HIV holds no one back.

Right at the heart of it is a simple idea; people living with HIV should lead the way in ending HIV stigma. A brand‑new team of Manchester residents with lived experience, will be sharing their stories, challenging outdated attitudes, and helping people understand what life with HIV really looks like today. Together they will build a citywide ‘Anti‑HIV Stigma Force’, a group ready to champion change across workplaces, communities and public spaces. Drawing on George House Trust’s long history of peer‑led work, the voices of people living with HIV will be at the heart of the project from start to finish, creating a long‑term, city‑wide movement that sticks.

The programme also offers free, easy‑to‑access training for the VCSE sector. The training will help people understand the facts about HIV and provide the knowledge and skills to tackle HIV stigma and discrimination, including a blended approach of e‑learning and in‑person sessions for staff, volunteers and trustees. We know that 30% of people living with HIV face workplace discrimination and the training, promoted with support from key delivery partners and Manchester City Council, will go a long way to reducing that.

Every year, Positive Ambition Manchester will spearhead a campaign for change around World AIDS Day, strengthening partnerships, backing community‑led activity and having a strong presence at the annual candlelit Vigil at the Beacon of Hope in Sackville Gardens, along with the Passionate about Sexual Health [PaSH] Partnership.

Every aspect of the project will align with national developments, including the government’s HIV Action Plan and other locally and nationally led anti-stigma and education programmes, keeping Manchester right at the front of the UK’s push to end HIV stigma for good.

The project lead, Nick Henshaw, said: ‘This is an innovative new project that will challenge stigma in partnership with the community and will put people living with HIV at the heart of it. The VCSE sector in Manchester is the backbone of the city and working with them to bolster HIV inclusion sends a powerful message of support for everyone living with HIV and shows that Manchester is committed to a world where HIV holds no one back!

This project is funded by the Our Manchester VCS Grants Programme from Manchester City Council.