How social support can help
Living with HIV can affect many aspects of life beyond physical health, including emotional wellbeing, relationships, housing, employment, finances, and social connections. Social support can play an important role in helping people navigate these challenges and maintain their overall wellbeing. Our team can provide information, guidance, and referrals to a range of support services, including peer support groups, welfare and benefits advice, housing support, and community organisations. Whether you have recently been diagnosed or have been living with HIV for many years, we are committed to helping you access the support you need, reduce isolation, and live well with HIV.
Lunch Positive
Lunch Positive is a local peer-led charity that supports people living with HIV through friendship, peer support, and community connection. It provides welcoming and inclusive spaces where people can meet others living with HIV, share experiences, access practical advice, and build supportive relationships. Services include weekly drop-ins, community lunches, a befriending scheme, wellbeing activities, food support, volunteering opportunities, and signposting to specialist services. By bringing people together in a safe and non-judgemental environment, Lunch Positive helps reduce isolation, improve wellbeing, and foster a strong sense of community among people living with HIV.
Homepage – Lunch Positive
Positively UK
Positively UK is a national charity dedicated to protecting the health and wellbeing of people living with HIV through tailored peer support, advocacy for positive attitudes, and equitable access to healthcare.
Support with diagnosis, care and life with HIV – Positively UK
The Sussex Beacon
The Sussex Beacon is a local charity dedicated to supporting people living with HIV across Sussex. It provides a wide range of practical, emotional, and social support services, including one-to-one casework, peer mentoring, wellbeing groups, specialist support for women and families, and advice on housing, employment, benefits, and financial concerns. Working closely with HIV clinics and community services, the Beacon helps people living with HIV to improve their wellbeing, reduce isolation, and live healthy, independent lives.
Terrence Higgins Trust (THT)
Terrence Higgins Trust have been supporting people living with HIV since the early 1980s. As the UK’s leading HIV charity, Terrence Higgins Trust plays an influential role, shaping public health responses and supporting those affected by HIV.
THT Brighton & Hove provides specialist support for people living with HIV, helping individuals to maintain their health, wellbeing, and independence. Services include HIV-specific counselling, welfare and benefits advice, social care support, peer support groups, emotional wellbeing services, and specialist chemsex support. THT also offers HIV testing, sexual health advice, and HIV prevention services, working closely with local NHS and community organisations. Through its confidential and person-centred approach, THT supports people living with HIV to access the information, resources, and support they need to live well and overcome challenges such as stigma, isolation, and health inequalities.