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The Ernest Foundation (TEF), a small yet highly effective and energetic organisation based in South London, successfully delivered the *Hope for Life* project on time and within budget. All objectives agreed with Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) UK, the Mayor of London, Comic Relief’s Africa Advocacy Fund, Southwark Council, and London Catalyst were met. This achievement demonstrates that a modest, community-based programme, run through a diaspora community, can deliver sustainable change for the better.Several original indicators of change proved impossible to verify as planned, particularly outcomes two and four, due to the sensitive nature of health issues and confidentiality regulations. However, other indicators were supported by publicly available data and personal testimony. These provided sufficiently robust evidence to show real progress against each outcome.
The context of TEF’s work is crucial when evaluating its interventions. Its target community is among the poorest in London, facing multiple pressures beyond health issues. Meeting basic needs such as food, friendship, and self-worth for people who feel physically and socially undernourished has been challenging. Nevertheless, TEF’s staff and volunteers have responded with resilience and dedication.
TEF is a multi-national organisation supporting people living with and affected by HIV, helping them improve their quality of life. Most service users are from Black Ethnic Minority groups of disadvantaged African origin living in London. TEF supports all ages and sexualities, though for this project participants were primarily aged 25–50+ years.
