No one should have to face HIV—or any long-term health condition—alone.
Although HIV is now a manageable condition for many people, it can still bring questions about health, relationships, faith, disclosure, stigma, and the future. Reaching out for support can make an enormous difference.
The organisations listed below are all well-established and trusted. They offer a range of services including information, advocacy, counselling, peer support, practical advice, and community.
This is not an exhaustive directory, but it is a good place to begin.
Ireland
HIV Ireland
HIV Ireland is the national organisation supporting people living with HIV in the Republic of Ireland. It provides education, peer support, advocacy, counselling, and information, while also working to reduce stigma and improve public understanding of HIV.
Website
https://www.hivireland.ie/
Positive Now
Positive Now is Ireland’s national peer-led network of people living with HIV.
Run by people with lived experience, it offers advocacy, community, peer support, and opportunities for people living with HIV to influence policy and improve services.
Website
https://www.positivenow.ie/
Irish Kidney Association
For those living with both HIV and kidney disease—as I do—the Irish Kidney Association provides support, information, patient advocacy, and community for people with kidney disease, dialysis, and transplantation.
Website
https://ika.ie/
Northern Ireland
Positive Life
Positive Life is Northern Ireland’s leading HIV charity, supporting people living with HIV through information, advocacy, counselling, practical assistance, and peer support.
Over the years I have known Positive Life in several different capacities, including as a client, volunteer, and trustee. Today I remain grateful for the professionalism, compassion, and friendship the organisation continues to offer people living with HIV throughout Northern Ireland.
Website
https://positivelifeni.com/
United Kingdom
Terrence Higgins Trust
Terrence Higgins Trust is the UK’s leading HIV charity.
It provides trusted information about HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and living well with HIV, alongside practical support and campaigning to end stigma.
Website
https://www.tht.org.uk/
National AIDS Trust
The National AIDS Trust works to improve the lives of people living with HIV through policy, research, campaigning, and legal advocacy.
Their resources are particularly valuable for understanding rights, equality, healthcare, and current HIV policy.
Website
https://www.nat.org.uk/
Positive East
Positive East supports people living with HIV across London and the surrounding area through peer support, counselling, wellbeing programmes, and advice services.
Website
https://www.positiveeast.org.uk/
Faith and HIV
Positive Catholics
Positive Catholics is a welcoming community for people living with HIV who have, or are exploring, the Christian faith.
Supported by CAPS (Catholics for AIDS Prevention and Support), the network offers friendship, prayer, mutual encouragement, retreats, and opportunities to reflect on faith alongside others with lived experience of HIV.
Christians from a range of traditions are welcomed, as are people living with HIV who are simply interested in exploring faith.
Website
https://caps-uk.org/positive-catholics/about-positive-catholics/
Looking for Support?
If you have recently been diagnosed with HIV, remember that you do not have to navigate the journey on your own.
Your HIV consultant, specialist nurse, or local sexual health clinic can usually introduce you to local organisations, peer-support groups, counselling services, and community resources.
There is no single “right” way to seek support. Some people find strength in one-to-one conversations, others in peer groups, faith communities, online forums, or simply knowing that someone else has walked the same road.
Why This Page Exists
When I was diagnosed in 2009, one of the most important discoveries I made was that I was not alone.
The organisations listed here have helped thousands of people across Ireland and the United Kingdom to live long, healthy, and fulfilling lives with HIV. My hope is that this page will help others find the support, encouragement, and community they need.