Hackney Council Joins National Aids Trust to End HIV Stigma

Key Points

• Hackney Council committed to becoming an “HIV Confident organisation” on World Aids Day, December 1, 2025.​
• The council is partnering with the National Aids Trust’s HIV Confident programme for implementation in 2026.​
• In 2020, the National Aids Trust collaborated with five other organisations to publish the HIV Commission’s Final Report and Recommendations, preceding the government’s first HIV Action Plan for England.​
• Hackney Council plans a staff survey to gauge workplace attitudes on HIV using the Trust’s Confident framework.​
• The council will address discrimination reports, establish reporting channels, offer HIV Confident e-learning to staff, and appoint an HIV Confident Champion.​
• Councillor Chris Kennedy, Cabinet member for health, adult social care, voluntary sector, and culture, stated commitment to increasing understanding, challenging discrimination, and fostering a supportive borough.​
• The UK government unveiled an updated HIV Action Plan for England 2025-2030 on World Aids Day, backed by £170 million, targeting zero transmission by 2030.​
• The plan emphasises prevention via PrEP access, increased testing, stigma reduction, post-diagnosis care, and strengthened sexual and reproductive health systems.​
• Hackney records higher HIV testing rates than the national average and Greater London.​

Inverted Pyramid Structure

Hackney Council has pledged to become an “HIV Confident organisation” as part of World Aids Day observances on December 1, 2025, partnering with the National Aids Trust’s programme for rollout in 2026. This initiative aims to combat HIV stigma through staff training, surveys, and anti-discrimination measures. The move aligns with the UK government’s refreshed HIV Action Plan for England 2025-2030, funded by £170 million to end transmission by 2030.​

The council’s commitment includes conducting a comprehensive staff survey to assess workplace attitudes towards HIV, based on the National Aids Trust’s Confident framework. It will establish clear channels for reporting discrimination and respond promptly to any incidents. Additionally, all staff will receive mandatory HIV Confident e-learning sessions, and the council will designate an HIV Confident Champion to lead efforts.​

Councillor Chris Kennedy, Cabinet member for health, adult social care, voluntary sector, and culture, emphasised the significance of this step. As reported in coverage of the announcement, Councillor Kennedy stated:

“By beginning this process, we are committing to increase understanding, challenge discrimination and build a workplace and a borough where everyone feels respected, supported and able to thrive”.​

What is Hackney Council’s Partnership with National Aids Trust?

Hackney Council’s collaboration with the National Aids Trust stems from the Trust’s HIV Confident programme, designed to equip organisations with tools to eliminate stigma. The programme provides a structured framework for auditing attitudes, training personnel, and promoting inclusive policies. Hackney’s adoption marks a proactive step for 2026 implementation, building on the Trust’s established expertise.​

The National Aids Trust has a proven track record in advocacy, notably collaborating with five other organisations in 2020 to produce the HIV Commission’s Final Report and Recommendations. This report, released a year before the government’s inaugural HIV Action Plan for England, outlined critical strategies for ending the AIDS epidemic. Hackney Council’s engagement reflects a direct response to these longstanding recommendations.​

Why Did Hackney Council Choose World Aids Day for This Announcement?

World Aids Day on December 1 serves as a global platform to raise awareness and drive action against HIV. Hackney Council timed its pledge to amplify visibility, aligning local efforts with international momentum. This strategic choice underscores the borough’s leadership in public health amid ongoing national challenges.​

The announcement coincides with heightened focus on stigma, which persists as a barrier to testing and treatment. By publicly committing on this date, the council signals zero tolerance for discrimination, fostering community trust. Local leaders view it as foundational for broader borough-wide impact.​

What Does the Staff Survey Entail?

The forthcoming staff survey will utilise the National Aids Trust’s Confident framework to evaluate current workplace attitudes on HIV. Questions will probe knowledge levels, biases, and experiences of stigma among employees. Results will inform tailored interventions to address gaps.​

This diagnostic tool ensures data-driven reforms, enabling the council to benchmark progress over time. Participation is expected to be widespread, promoting buy-in across departments. The survey represents the initiative’s first actionable phase.​

How Will Hackney Council Tackle Discrimination?

Upon identifying discrimination through surveys or reports, the council pledges swift responses. Dedicated reporting channels will be established, ensuring confidentiality and accessibility for staff. These mechanisms aim to empower individuals to speak out without fear.​

Training forms a cornerstone, with HIV Confident e-learning sessions rolled out to all employees. These modules cover myths, transmission facts, and allyship practices. The appointment of an HIV Confident Champion will oversee enforcement and advocacy.​

Who is Councillor Chris Kennedy and What is His Role?

Councillor Chris Kennedy serves as Cabinet member for health, adult social care, voluntary sector, and culture in Hackney Council. His portfolio positions him at the forefront of health initiatives, including this HIV stigma campaign. Kennedy’s leadership drives integration of stigma reduction into core services.​

His quoted statement highlights a vision for an inclusive borough:

“By beginning this process, we are committing to increase understanding, challenge discrimination and build a workplace and a borough where everyone feels respected, supported and able to thrive.”

This reflects strategic intent amid local health priorities.​

What Background Does Kennedy Bring to This Initiative?

Kennedy’s experience in health and social care equips him to champion sensitive issues like HIV. His oversight of voluntary sector partnerships enhances collaborations such as with the National Aids Trust. This aligns with Hackney’s progressive public health stance.​

What is the UK Government’s Updated HIV Action Plan?

The UK government launched the HIV Action Plan for England 2025-2030 on World Aids Day 2025, allocating £170 million. It targets ending HIV transmission by 2030 through multifaceted strategies. The plan builds on prior efforts, intensifying focus on high-impact areas.​

Key pillars include expanding PrEP access for prevention, boosting testing rates, and dismantling stigma. Post-diagnosis care improvements ensure sustained treatment adherence. Enhancements to sexual and reproductive health systems support holistic delivery.​

How Does Hackney Compare to National HIV Testing Rates?

Hackney boasts higher HIV testing rates than both the national average and Greater London benchmarks. This record positions the borough as a leader, with robust local infrastructure facilitating access. The council’s new initiative seeks to sustain and elevate these figures.​

Elevated testing correlates with earlier diagnoses and better outcomes. Hackney’s performance stems from targeted outreach and partnerships. Continued stigma reduction will likely amplify these successes.​

What Role Did the 2020 HIV Commission Play?

In 2020, the National Aids Trust joined five organisations to publish the HIV Commission’s Final Report and Recommendations. This influential document provided a roadmap for policy, predating the government’s first HIV Action Plan. Its calls for stigma elimination directly inform current actions.​

The report highlighted systemic gaps in awareness and support, urging organisational transformations. Hackney Council’s pledge echoes these findings, demonstrating enduring relevance. It catalyses accountability across sectors.​

Why is Ending HIV Transmission by 2030 Feasible?

The government’s £170 million investment underpins ambitious goals in the 2025-2030 plan. PrEP expansion offers pre-exposure prophylaxis to at-risk groups, proven effective in trials. Coupled with widespread testing, it forms a prevention backbone.​

Stigma reduction unlocks participation, while post-diagnosis care retains patients in treatment. Strengthened SRH systems integrate services seamlessly. Hackney’s local efforts contribute to this national trajectory.​

How Does This Impact Hackney Residents?

For Hackney’s diverse population, the council’s HIV Confident status promises a stigma-free environment. Workplace changes model behaviour for communities, encouraging open discussions. Higher testing rates will benefit vulnerable groups disproportionately.​

Broader borough thriving follows, with reduced discrimination fostering equity. Partnerships amplify resources, ensuring sustained impact. Residents gain from aligned national funding.