Bristol’s World AIDS Day remembrance and celebration

Our Sexual Health Improvement Programme (SHIP) HIT were pleased to fund this year’s Bristol’s World AIDS Day celebration event at the Watershed.

Public partner Primrose Granville chaired the event alongside Matt Clee, who is Assistant Head of Assistant Head of Testing Development at our partners NHS Blood and Transplant.

Jo Copping from Bristol City Council gave an update on Fast-Track Cities Bristol over the past year, in her role as steering group chair and SHIP HIT co-director.

Mike shared a personal and powerful story about his lived experience following his HIV diagnosis, and the support he has had from Brigstowe.

Lived experience panellists Irene, Ashley, Emily and Josh also proudly shared their stories and faces for Bristol’s HIV anti stigma campaign – ‘There’s more to me than HIV’. They spoke about the harm stigma can cause and why they were involved with the campaign as well as about their hopes for reducing stigma.

The audience were treated to performances by Sing Out LGBTQ+ choir,  Olu Ben, a Nigerian drummer and musician who also spoke about his memories of HIV from the 80’s and 90’s, and MC Poshe who brought the afro beats!

We’d like to thank everyone who came along for a memorable evening.