The Food Chain: Nourishing Lives Beyond HIV

Anyone who watched It's A Sin on Channel 4 will have been moved, and angered, by the way people living with HIV were treated in the 1980s and early 1990s. While much has changed since those dark days, thanks to advances in treatment and understanding, living well with HIV can still present challenges, particularly for those facing financial hardship or additional health complications.

That's where The Food Chain comes in.

The London-based charity supports people living with HIV through nutritious food provision, cooking education and community support, helping people not only eat well, but stay well.

As part of the Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards, powered by Jaguar, which supported the Attitude Foundation's LGBTQ+ causes, Celebrity MasterChef winner Riyadh Khalaf visited The Food Chain to see firsthand how Foundation funding is helping transform lives.

"It’s the frontline," says Khalaf. "Those supported by The Food Chain are often referred by doctors when they need help during a difficult period in their lives and are on low or no incomes. They are HIV positive, sometimes with additional complications, and The Food Chain makes a significant contribution to their long-term health and wellbeing."

The premise is simple. Good nutrition plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy immune system and overall wellbeing. But if you can't afford basic ingredients, or don't have the confidence or knowledge to prepare healthy meals, the impact can be severe.

The Food Chain addresses both challenges. Alongside providing food parcels to those who need them, the charity teaches people how to cook nutritious meals and make healthier choices. Before the pandemic, regular communal meals and workshops brought people together to discuss everything from nutrition to mental health, creating a supportive environment that many participants describe as life-changing.

Neil, who received support from the charity, explained: "I was eating, but eating the wrong things. My weight wasn't right, and I didn't feel good. The talks and classes are really good. I've learned how to cook, and what to eat. Being part of a group of people with the same challenges I have has helped enormously. It's like a family, and my mental health has improved massively."

That sense of family is something chief executive Siobhan Lanigan is particularly proud of. "We embrace those who come through our doors and support them through a process of education that provides not only the means to eat healthily, but the tools to continue doing so long after we've played our part. We see people leave in a far better position than they arrived, and many come back to volunteer having reset their lives."

In a typical year, The Food Chain supports around 350 people and families. During the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, demand increased dramatically, with the charity supporting around 500 families. It is a safety net that simply cannot be taken away.

Dr Tristan Barber, who refers patients from the Royal Free Hospital, describes the charity's impact as "beyond valuable", highlighting the extraordinary benefits it provides for people at a time of need.

The need for support remains significant. According to the National AIDS Trust, an estimated 105,200 people were living with HIV in the UK in 2019, with almost half of those receiving specialist HIV care now aged 50 or over.

The Attitude Foundation has proudly supported The Food Chain since 2018, contributing almost £20,000 to help sustain its vital work and ensure that people living with HIV can access the nutrition, education and community support they need.

To see The Food Chain's work in action, watch Riyadh Khalaf's visit: Watch the film on YouTube