There are a large number of voluntary AIDS service organisations providing a wide range of care, support, advice and education services (although there are considerable regional variations in the type and number of organisations available to you at a local level).

These organisations vary in size, the kinds of services they provide, whether they operate on national or local levels, and to whom they offer services. Most however have established themselves as a result of community–led initiatives to fight HIV and promote independent living for people with HIV or AIDS. Some organisations are partly or wholly led by people living with HIV, and some services are provided by people with HIV. Some of these organisations are therefore very aware of the needs of people with HIV or AIDS and are much more responsive to the communities they serve than is often the case with statutory services.

The services that voluntary organisations often provide include :

• social care, inc. help at home, and 'buddying' (where trained volunteers can offer long term emotional and practical support for people living with HIV or AIDS)
• telephone helplines
• support groups
• one–to–one counselling (see counselling and psychotherapy above for a list)
• 'drop–in' facilities where food is available as well as different kinds of therapeutic help such as massage, acupuncture or aromatherapy
• advice and information, by phone, in publications and from trained advice workers on benefits, employment, housing and legal problems.

A number of organisations also provide access to health and medical care and information about medical treatment, and a small number provide self help advocacy.

Finally, there are organisations concentrating on health promotion, sexual health education, equity for people with HIV and AIDS, and training for people providing services for people with HIV and AIDS.

For more information about these organisations and the services they provide, please see the UK AIDS Directory, or look at the A to Z of services  later in this chapter to find details of some of the key organisations providing specific types of services.