Northern Ireland’s only dedicated HIV Charity, Positive Life, has launched an innovate new fundraising initiative aimed at tackling the stigma associated with HIV in Northern Ireland.

As the ‘NI Buyers Club’ launches today, on World AIDS Day, Positive Life now estimates that there has largely been a stabilising in the number of new diagnoses. Estimates have had to be undertaken for the 2020 year as there has been a delay in the publication of official new statistics.

Positive Life

The organisation says that this means there is likely to be around 50 new diagnoses in the 2020 year (2019 = 52; 2018 = 84), bringing the number of people in Northern Ireland living with HIV over the 1200 mark.

Regardless of the stabilising of the new diagnoses, Positive Life, NI’s only dedicated HIV support charity has claimed that HIV related stigma is causing huge concern and having a crippling impact on people often leading to mental health issues, family break ups and a level of shame that remains unaddressed.

A recently commissioned survey in Northern Ireland by Positive Life which had over 1,000 responses gave concerning insight into how people view HIV and further validated the concerns around the high level of HIV related stigma that exists here. For example:

39% would not approve of a family member dating someone with HIV;
22% of people would not approve of someone with HIV looking after their child;
71% of people believe that more should be done in schools to improve understanding of HIV.

In response to the challenges posed by HIV related stigma, the new ‘NI Buyers Club’ is a membership based fundraising project which aims to bring together organisations and like-minded philanthropic individuals to support Positive Life on a regular basis, allowing that support to grow over time.

Research from Positive Life has shown that financial support for those living with HIV in Northern Ireland is chronically underfunded and often not a priority for the public when considering charitable donations.

It is expected that the £500,000 funding raised by the ‘NI Buyers Club’ will target the challenges of HIV related stigma in the formation of new projects and research to meet the changing needs of Positive Life service users.

Jacquie Richardson, Chief Executive, Positive Life said: “HIV is no longer the death sentence it once was, and advances allow those living with HIV to lead full and rewarding lives.”

“We are encouraged by the stabilising of new diagnoses which shows that much of the hard work carried out to raise awareness around HIV and sexual health by Positive Life is working.”

“However, the stigma attached to HIV here in Northern Ireland has such a crippling impact on people that it often leads to mental health issues, family break ups and a level of shame that remains unaddressed.”

“HIV related stigma not only has an impact on the individual but on the support services for those living with the condition. We often find that securing funding, corporate giving and individual donations are few and far between. There is still a significant challenge of overcoming the attitude of the 1980’s.”

Positive Life, NI Buyers Club

On the formation of the Positive Life, NI Buyers Club, Jacquie Richardson added: “This World AIDS Day we are thrilled to announce the launch of the NI Buyers Club, a new £500,000 fund raising initiative that will bring together organisations and like-minded philanthropic individuals to support the work of Positive Life.”

“This is an ambitious new project that will create a shift change and place us in a position to independently launch new projects and undertake research to meet the changing needs of our service users which is a new and hugely exciting proposition for us as an organisation.”

“Tackling HIV related stigma requires leadership and for those in leading positions to step up and help create awareness. The support we have received so far has been phenomenal and are hugely excited to open up the club to those who want to create change in reducing HIV related stigma.”

One of the founding members of the Positive Life NI Buyers Club, Kirsty McManus and Director of the IoD Northern Ireland said: “We are very pleased to step out in support of our member, the Positive Life CEO, to ensure the long-term sustainability of the charity and the vital support it provides to this region.”

“As a fundraising drive that aims to build lasting relationships that will serve an issue many feel is no longer a major crisis, the NI Buyers Club represents a bold new initiative from Positive Life in its mission to tackle the crippling levels of stigma that still exist in Northern Ireland.”

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Kate Nicholl said: “I have been really proud to have Positive Life as one of my mayoral charities of the year throughout my time in office. For many years now they have been playing a truly vital role in supporting individuals, families and whole communities impacted by HIV in Belfast and further afield.”

“It is really positive to see there has been a decrease in the number of new HIV cases for the latest reporting period, which is in no small part to the actions of Positive Life who have been at the forefront of awareness raising and education outreach campaigns.”

“I also commend the innovative and sustainable approach that Positive Life is taking to addressing the harm and social isolation caused by stigma. One of my goals as Lord Mayor of the city has been to make Belfast a place where people can feel included and part of the city itself. I want to acknowledge the special role of Positive Life will be continuing to play as part of this.”

Another founding member of the NI Buyers Club, Gareth Clements, Managing Director of Belfast IT Firm, Zenith IT Solutions added: “Positive Life exists to provide a range of services for anyone affected by HIV and does fantastic work in raising awareness for HIV and sexual health.

“Unfortunately, much of its time is taken up by trying to challenge and remove HIV-related stigma in Northern Ireland. Bringing forward the ‘NI Buyers Club’ is a remarkable new initiative by Positive Life in how we think innovatively not only about creating new and more effective services but projects which tackle how society views HIV here and fighting the level of prejudice that is out there.”

“I’m thrilled to be part of this and encourage anyone who wants to affect real change to get involved in an initiative that will change and save lives.”