Our work in the UK
TB Alert's work in the UK is focused on ensuring people with TB are diagnosed and treated quickly and supported throughout their recovery. This prevents serious illness and minimises new TB infections.
Our strategy centres on reaching vulnerable communities – often the most marginalised in society and underserved by health and care services – by working with community members and the organisations they know and trust.
The Truth About TB campaign
The Truth About TB is our flagship UK campaign dedicated to raising public and professional awareness of TB. The campaign recognises that social, cultural, and economic factors significantly influence vulnerability to TB.
We therefore focus on reaching those most at risk – including recent migrants, individuals with a history of homelessness, drug or alcohol misuse, or involvement with the prison system, and people living with HIV. We address these challenges by forging strategic partnerships between statutory bodies (like the NHS and local government) and voluntary community and social enterprise (VCSE) service providers such as migrant support charities, drug and alcohol services, or homeless organisations.
We know that local voluntary agencies are known and trusted by the communities they serve – so we provide them with the specialist training, resources and support needed to reach them with TB information and support. Collaboration is key to this response, placing individuals affected by TB at the heart of the design and delivery of TB services. Patient perspectives are crucial for effective outreach and treatment adherence, ensuring our efforts meet the real needs of the community.
People really believe you can catch TB through spitting or sharing cutlery. They also don’t realise that TB is curable or that treatment is free for everyone
Sabine, community health champion
The day I was diagnosed with TB I read the stories on this website. They gave me the confidence I could fight it.
Manisha
TB information and support
Treatment for TB is long – at least six months – and can be difficult, often involving unpleasant side effects and feelings of isolation.
While treatment is free in the UK, patients often face costs related to travel and essential nutrition. Many vulnerable patients may struggle financially. TB Alert provides practical and emotional support for people at all stages of their TB journey through our information service and by facilitating TB Action, a community of TB patient/carer advocates.
Information service:
We provide information and signposting on all aspects of TB for anyone with concerns about the illness.
This includes people who are worried they may have TB symptoms, patients struggling with their treatment or professionals seeking advice on how best to care for their clients. We provide this in many formats, to suit individual needs.
Get confidential information and support:
TB Action
A community of people affected by TB in the UK.
TB Action offers essential peer support via telephone, email, or face-to-face contact during and after treatment. Community members use their personal experiences to advocate for improved TB services, influencing policy and practice by providing the patient perspective to organisations like the WHO and relevant UK bodies.
I felt less alone knowing someone shared many of my experiences.
My peer supporter had completed her treatment and graduated from university; this gave me hope for the future.
Amy, TB Action Chair
