National Standards for Peer Support in HIV
The Standards were developed by a Steering Group of people living with HIV, representatives of NGOs who provide peer support for people living with HIV, and the British HIV Association (BHIVA), National HIV Nurses Association (NHIVNA) and Children’s HIV Association (CHIVA). Targeted consultation was undertaken with groups of people living with HIV in London and Liverpool, the youth group leaders of the CHIVA Summer Camp, and with individuals from across the sector. From August to September 2016 the standards were then out for open consultation through e-forums including UK-CAB and NGOs across the UK.
Foreward
Garry Brough (UK Community Advisory Board Chair)
At a time when we are seeing shrinking funding for HIV services in both the voluntary sector and the NHS, high-quality peer support needs more than ever to be able to demonstrate its effectiveness. Previous models of care, such as buddying and ongoing support groups were crucial in their time, but are no longer as appropriate or sustainable in this new era of a long life with HIV.
21st Century support must empower people to live well with HIV by promoting self-management strategies that allow them to make better health and life choices for themselves. Structured and targeted peer
support is uniquely positioned to help achieve these aims and standards such as these provide the framework and guidance to allow services and individuals to demonstrate their effectiveness to clinicians and
commissioners.
As someone who has lived with HIV for over 25 years, I have accessed, delivered and now train others to deliver peer support. Aside from the outstanding clinical care that has allowed me to live this long with HIV, peer support has been the defining factor in me being able to live well with HIV. Within the great diversity of the HIV community, the benefit from any one of us reaching out, sharing our lived experience, and helping another person living with HIV is undeniable, and the interaction enriches both sides.
As Chair of the UK Community Advisory Board (UK-CAB), the national network of HIV treatment advocates, I wholeheartedly welcome and endorse these standards. I hope that they act as a benchmark and reference point for a new era of joined-up care that is so needed, not just in HIV, but in our ability to manage all health conditions.
Acknowledgments
Special thanks to the National Standards of Peer Support Steering Group:
Allan Anderson, Garry Brough, Amanda Ely, Rik Hodgson, Mina Kakaiya, Debbie Levitt, Dr Aoife Molloy, James Morris, Alex Sparrowhead, Marc Thompson, Shaun Watson.
Elisabeth Crafer – Developer & Producer
Ginger Drage – Layout & Design
Silvia Petretti – Steering Group Chair.
Visit HIVPeerSupport.com
