Edinburgh and the Lothians

Course for people recently diagnosed with HIV

Our course is designed to help you deal with your diagnosis and gain the knowledge and tools to live well with HIV.

It is open to anyone living with HIV who wants to deepen their understanding and get up-to-date information regarding HIV care in Scotland. It is a two-day course held over two Saturday afternoons in Edinburgh.

The course will take place every six months, starting in October 2026. To reserve your place, please fill in the form below, and we will be in touch.

The course will cover:

• HIV history, science and treatment
• Understanding U=U (Undetectable = Untransmittable)
• HIV stigma and how to challenge it
• Looking after your mental and physical health
• Sharing your HIV status and talking about HIV with others
• Sex, relationships and sexual wellbeing
• How to access additional support
• Useful resources and where to find further information

Reserve your place

Rapid testing

Rapid testing is a quick and easy way to test for HIV and syphilis.

We run a regular clinic in central Edinburgh, were can offer testing to anyone aged 16+. Our testing is confidential and completely free of charge.

You can find us at:

• Crew (32 Cockburn Street, Edinburgh EH1 1PB): Every second Thursday from 5-7pm

If you can’t make it along to Crew, we can also talk to you about other testing options available. We can do this via phone, email, text or WhatsApp.

Click the button below to book an appointment, or to arrange a chat about testing.

Book Now

What you can expect

You might feel a bit nervous about having a test, especially if it’s your first one. Rest assured, the process is straightforward and our staff are trained to make you feel at ease. They are also there to answer any questions you may have.

Read more about rapid HIV and syphilis testing at Waverley Care.

Test yourself for HIV

HIV self tests are fast and totally confidential. You can order free and low-cost blood and oral HIV testing kits from the charity Terrence Higgins Trust.

One to one support

If you are living with HIV and need support, our Health Improvement Coordinators can work with you to develop a support plan to best meet your needs.

Our services are completely confidential and flexible to your needs. We can arrange an appointment over the phone, online or meet you somewhere that is comfortable for you.

What to expect

One to one support can help you with:

• Coping with a new diagnosis,
• Understanding and accessing treatment,
• Improving mental health and wellbeing,
• Attending appointments and talking to your doctor,
• Telling your family, friends or colleagues about your HIV status.

As well as offering emotional support, our Health Improvement Coordinators can offer practical support like attending medical appointments and can signpost to other organisations that may be able to help with a specific issue, such as homelessness or support accessing benefits.

Get support

Peer support

At Waverley Care, we can put you in touch with one of our trained peer mentors who have lived experience of HIV and can help you work through some of the challenges you may be facing in your day-to-day life.

What to expect

If you need support with HIV, peer support can help you in a variety of ways including:

• Thinking positively about the future,
• Disclosing your HIV status to family, friends and others,
• Increasing your confidence and self-esteem,
• Feeling less isolated,
• Living well with HIV and managing treatment.

If you would like to access peer support or become a peer mentor, get in touch.

Get in touch

Sex, health and wellbeing

We offer support to all gay and bisexual men, and all men who have sex with men who want to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to take control of and make informed decisions about their sexual health.

We promise you a welcoming, confidential and supportive service, free from judgement and discrimination. Our Health Improvement Coordinators are well equipped to support individuals who face discrimination because of their identity, sexuality, gender, sexual health or HIV status.

Who is this service for

This service is for anyone who identifies as a gay or bisexual man. This includes trans men, non-binary or gender-fluid people who want to access spaces for men. This service is also open to men who have sexual and/or romantic relationships with other men, but do not identify as gay or bisexual.

What support we offer

We offer one to one support where you can speak to one of our Health Improvement Coordinators about your sexual health and wellbeing in a confidential and non-judgmental space.

One to one support is tailored to your needs and can be provided in person or online. We can discuss a broad range of topics, including:

• Sex, relationships and sexual health,
• HIV and other sexually transmitted infections,
• Coming to terms with your sexuality,
• Coming out,
• Making social connections within the LGBTQ+ community,
• Reporting hate crime.

We also run clinics in community venues across Scotland, offering rapid HIV and syphilis testing as well as advice and education about HIV and sexual health.

Peer support

We can put you in touch with our trained peer mentors who have lived experience of HIV and can help you work through some of the challenges you may be facing in your day-to-day life, either one to one or as part of a group.

If you have any questions or would like to join the group, get in touch by phone on 0131 558 1425 or complete our contact form.

Get support

Trans and Non-binary Sexual Health Clinic

This clinic is an inclusive, welcoming space for you to get tested and discuss your health.

The clinic offers:

• Sexual Health Testing
• PrEP Consultations
• Contraception (but not Intrauterine Devices or Systems)
• Cervical screening
• A clinical space to discuss any other sexual health concerns

The clinic runs on alternating Thursdays at the LGBT Health and Wellbeing offices (4 Duncan Pl, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 8HW). You can drop in anytime between 1-4pm, and the clinic ends at 5:45pm.

You can find more information on how to find the clinic here.

Our support groups

Support group for women living with HIV

We run a group for women living with HIV, enabling them to build new social networks whilst exploring their experiences HIV. The group’s activities focus mainly on arts and crafts. The group runs once a month.

Gay and bisexual men’s group

We run a monthly group for gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men to meet up, socialise and get support from each other in a confidential, relaxed setting. The group focuses on cultural events that relate to the nuances of living with HIV and gay identity, such as film nights and exhibitions. This group runs once a month.

Walking group

Our walking group offers people living with HIV the chance to meet up with their peers to explore local sites, improve their physical health and boost their confidence. This will run between March 2024 and October 2024.

Winter Activity group

Once a month, until March 2024, we will be running a winter activity group for people living with HIV to socialise with each other in a relaxed setting, with a focus on winter activities.

To join an activity, or to ask for more information, please contact us here.

Free infant formula milk

To prevent the transmission of HIV to newborn babies, official guidelines recommend that people living with HIV do not breast/chestfeed and instead exclusively formula feed their babies.

However, formula milk is an expensive option that some parents struggle to afford. Commonly available powdered formulas can cost anything from £30-£60 per month depending on the brand and that’s before you factor in the additional costs of bottles and sterilisers.​

To overcome this barrier, Waverley Care can provide free formula milk for babies from birth up to age one.

We provide

• 4 tins of formula a month for the first year of baby’s life,
• Free bottles and sterilising equipment,
• Flexible collection and delivery options,
• Free and confidential support services.

How to access

If you are living with HIV and are pregnant, speak to your HIV specialist nurse about a referral or get in touch with us for information and advice.

Get in touch