Abstract

With austerity seemingly becoming more intense, changes to the voluntary/third sector
increasingly pressured, and an uncertain and changing future for HIV organisations, it is time to
stop, take a snapshot of the sector and to use it to reflect upon the future. This research is
designed to inform HIV/AIDS organisations, community groups and charities to look at the sector
around them and to encourage further partnership working to ensure that, whilst advances in HIV
continue to happen, the support for those living with the virus is still there. Austerity has crippled
the HIV third/voluntary sector and this looks likely to get worse as local authorities continue to
withdraw or dramatically reduce funding.
This research document can be used to support your funding bids, advocacy points, press
releases, policy decisions and organisational plans. I hope that it makes a positive contribution to
your work and helps your organisation, whether it is a national charity or small community group,
to reflect and consider the changing nature of the sector and the campaigns in which you are
involved.
A clear issue raised by organisations who have taken part in this research is that working in silos
will not safeguard the future of the sector and we should be aiming to support one another in a
time of austerity, funding cuts and changes.
I would like to take the time to thank the assistance of VONNE (Voluntary Organisations Network
North East) who kindly gave me permission to use their model of survey questions from their
‘Surviving or Thriving’ report and to structure my own survey around this.
I would also like to thank all of the respondents from HIV/AIDS organisations across the United
Kingdom who completed this survey and who contributed case studies and recommendations for
this research project. Your time and effort was appreciated and vital for this project to take place.