Waverley Care

10/10/2026

05/10/2026

Course for People Recently Diagnosed 📅 17 & 24 October 2026

Our course for people recently diagnosed is fast approaching!

It's for anyone living with HIV who wants to learn more about their diagnosis, HIV care in Scotland and ways to support their wellbeing.

Across the two sessions, we’ll cover:

• HIV history, science and treatment
• U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable)
• HIV stigma and how to challenge it
• Talking about HIV and sharing your status
• Mental, physical and sexual health
• Useful support and resources available across Scotland

The course will be held across two Saturday afternoons at Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL.

It’s a chance to get up-to-date information, ask questions and build your knowledge and confidence around living well with HIV.

Find out more and book your place: https://buff.ly/JpIBKj1

01/10/2026

Public understanding of HIV hasn’t always kept pace with advances in treatment and prevention.

Outdated perceptions can contribute to the stigma and discrimination experienced by people living with HIV. That’s why it matters to keep talking, sharing accurate information and challenging HIV stigma.

We’re pleased to share the full segment from STV’s Scotland Tonight, which aired nationally last night at 6pm.

The segment features Emma’s story alongside our Chief Executive, Grant Sugden, who explains why testing, access to PrEP and treatment, and tackling HIV stigma remain so important. It also shows reporter Grainne, taking a dried blood spot HIV test, demonstrating just how simple testing can be.

Watch the full segment here:

30/09/2026

Could you help shape our work and influence HIV policy in Scotland?

Waverley Care’s Community Panel brings together people living with HIV in Scotland to share their experiences, tell us what matters to them and help shape our policy and campaigning work. And we’re looking for new people to join us!

You can learn more about what it means to be involved in our Community Panel from some of our members: https://buff.ly/BPgWQAZ

If you’re living with HIV in Scotland and would like to join the Community Panel, we’d love to hear from you.

Get in touch: [email protected]

Find out more: https://buff.ly/qfpWs2E

Could you help shape the future of HIV services in Scotland? We'r...

30/09/2026

We’re so pleased to see Waverley Care featured in STV News today, shining a light on the progress Scotland has made towards ending HIV transmission and the work still needed to get there.

A special thank you to our Senior Learning & Engagement Officer, Emma, for so openly sharing her own experience of living with HIV.

Emma has been passionate about challenging HIV stigma and misinformation, and we’re incredibly proud of the way she continues to use her own experience to help others feel less alone, challenge outdated attitudes and show that it’s possible to live a fulfilling life with HIV.

Our Chief Executive, Grant Sugden, also spoke about the huge advances in HIV treatment and prevention, and why testing, access to PrEP and treatment, and tackling HIV stigma remain so important.

Scotland has made huge progress, but stigma and outdated attitudes continue to affect people living with HIV. With a new HIV Action Plan for Scotland on the horizon, it’s more important than ever that these conversations continue.

We’re really proud of Emma and Grant for sharing their perspectives and helping to bring this important conversation to a wider audience.

Thank you to STV News for giving space to these stories and helping to keep HIV on the agenda.

📺 Read the full story on STV News: https://news.stv.tv/scotland/i-once-felt-like-the-only-woman-with-hiv-i-knew-i-had-to-speak-out

23/09/2026

It was fantastic to be at the Scottish Parliament yesterday with Terrence Higgins Trust Scotland and National AIDS Trust, meeting with MSPs to discuss how we can work together to end HIV transmission by 2030 and tackle HIV-related stigma.

We're delighted that the Scottish Government has committed to developing a new, dedicated HIV Plan for Scotland. We look forward to working with the government and MSPs from across Parliament to ensure the plan delivers for everyone affected by HIV.

Together, we can make Scotland a place where everyone can access the treatment, care and support they need, free from stigma and discrimination.

21/09/2026

A new HIV Action Plan for Scotland

We’re delighted to welcome today’s announcement from Public Health Minister Maree Todd that the Scottish Government will develop a new dedicated HIV Action Plan for Scotland.

This is an important opportunity to build on the significant progress Scotland has made towards ending new HIV transmission by 2030, while ensuring that people living with HIV are at the heart of what happens next.

At Waverley Care, we believe ending HIV transmission must go hand in hand with ending HIV stigma.

The new Action Plan must support continued investment in prevention, testing, treatment and peer support, while tackling the stigma and inequalities that can still affect people living with HIV.

As the plan is developed, we will continue to advocate for the voices and lived experiences of people living with HIV to shape Scotland’s future HIV response.

Read our full response from Grant Sugden, Chief Executive of Waverley Care, and find out what we believe needs to happen next: https://buff.ly/YSG3nLc

21/09/2026

Women’s Health & Wellbeing Day!

Join us this Wednesday for a relaxed drop-in session focused on women’s health and wellbeing.

There’s no appointment needed, just come along anytime between 11.30am and 2.30pm.

You’ll have the chance to:

• Find out about physical and mental health services
• Get information about women’s health services available in Edinburgh
• Get a check-up for blood-borne viruses like HIV & Hepatitis
• Meet local organisations and find out about the support they offer
• Have a cuppa, some light refreshments and a bit of time to relax

There will be stalls from a range of organisations, including NHS services, Endometriosis UK, Shakti Women’s Aid, The Welcoming, Project Esperanza and ourselves, Waverley Care

📅 Wednesday 23 September
⏰ 11.30am to 2.30pm
📍 Augustine United Church, 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1EL

The session is for women only, and all staff attending will be female. You’re also welcome to bring your child or children along!

We’d love to see you there 💜

18/09/2026

Today is HIV & Ageing Awareness Day.

People living with HIV may experience some age-related health conditions, and there are things you can do to look after your health as you get older.

In this video, Naomi Bulteel, Consultant Physician in Infectious Diseases & General Medicine, explains how HIV-related inflammation can contribute to conditions such as cardiovascular disease, bone disease and cognitive impairment and why effective HIV treatment, regular monitoring and support can make a difference.

As Naomi says, these conditions are manageable and are only one part of the bigger picture of your health.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Support is available.

🎥 Want to hear more? Watch the full video with Naomi on our website: https://buff.ly/Lqosogm

14/09/2026

We were honoured to see the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt return to Scotland on Friday, bringing together stories, memories and the lives of people affected by HIV and AIDS.

STV News joined the opening of the exhibition at Tramway, capturing why this powerful collection of panels continues to matter today. The Quilt is a reminder of the people behind every panel, individuals with families, friends, hopes and dreams whose lives should never be forgotten.

It also reminds us how far we have come. HIV is now a manageable health condition and, with effective treatment, people living with HIV can live full and healthy lives.

But as Waverley Care Chief Executive Grant Sugden explains in the STV News report, HIV-related stigma sadly remains a reality for many people.

“Too many people hold outdated attitudes about HIV, so public awareness of HIV hasn’t kept up with the medical advances we have seen.”

Remembering the past must go hand in hand with building a future where everyone affected by HIV can live well, free from stigma and isolation.

The UK AIDS Memorial Quilt is on display at Tramway, Glasgow, until 4 October. We encourage everyone to visit, reflect and learn more about this important part of Scotland’s HIV history.

UK AIDS Memorial Quilt Conservation Partnership,

The quilt is a tribute to the hundreds of people who have died from AIDS in the UK