HIV charities cut services and plunder reserves amid ‘severe funding crisis’

HIV support charities are facing a “severe funding crisis” and are having to cut services or use their reserves to keep operating, the National Aids Trust is warning.

In its report into the sector it found that over the last three years just under a third of charities had closed services and more than a half had used cash reserves to cover operational costs.

Several charities and non-profit organisations in the sector said they anticipated further job cuts, having to use reserves and service reductions.

Of those surveyed seven specifically mentioned having to close their services or organisation altogether.

The National Aids Trust warns that charities in the sector have already closed in recent years due to a lack of funding, including NAM aidsmap and The Crescent.

Being called for is “sustainable, multi-year funding” to “prevent further closures”, says the Trust, which warns that current commissioning is blighted by short term funding, lack of full cost recovery and complex procurement arrangements.

“Governments must prioritise multi-year, fair contracts and actively involve VCSEs in commissioning and strategy development,” said the Trust.

It warns that without action people with HIV are missing out on vital support as charities ae unable to commit to long term service provision.

“At a focus group, one man living with HIV recounted how following the closure of North Yorkshire AIDS Action, in-person support services are very limited in his area and that people in his community are left with significant unmet needs,” details the Trust’s report.

It also points out that “currently, there are no pan-London support services for gay men living with HIV”.

“Until recently, the only service of this nature was Positively UK’s Gay Men’s Project, described as ‘more than a support group that provided a vital space for members of the community to connect, share experiences and find strength without fear of stigma’.

“However due to funding cuts, this important service was recently forced to close.”

More than 50 charities and not for profit organisations responded to the Trust’s survey. Half are based in London with the rest across the UK.