Chatting HIV and busting myths, one podcast at a time!

Sarah and Jess have worked at Thames Valley Positive Support (TVPS), an HIV support charity in Berkshire, for a combined 26 years and in this episode, they share some of their experiences of working within the HIV/charity sector along with why they feel there’s a need for an HIV podcast.

Sheila talks with Sarah and Jess about living with HIV as a woman, juggling relationships, motherhood, work and all the usual stresses and strains of life. She explains why she feels her HIV diagnosis helped her achieve her goals and how she learned to accept her diagnosis and love herself again.

Andy shares his experience of taking PrEP, from initially buying it himself to later becoming part of the PrEP Impact Trial. He takes us through why he takes PrEP, how he doses, what happens on when you become part of the trial as well as how it’s improved his sex life.

Useful links:
Prepster 
I Want PrEP Now
PrEP Impact Trial
Dean St. PrEP Shop

Jack talks with Sarah and Jess about being diagnosed with HIV at 15 years old following his first sexual encounter. He shares with us how he handles HIV disclosure and how this had changed for him over the 16 years of his diagnosis.

Allan opens up about what happened and how he felt, when he was newly diagnosed, 4 years ago and the journey he has been on since then. We talk family, disclosure, recovery and everything in-between.

myHIV Forum

Sean talks with us about 26 years of volunteering with TVPS, from starting out as a ‘buddy’ to becoming the Chair of our organisation. He also gives us his views on the changing face of HIV, funding cuts and the challenges that small charities encounter.

Sarah and Jess talk all things National HIV Testing Week, including all the different ways you can test for HIV.

TVPS – 1 minute HIV test at discreet venues (free)
Time to Test – Postal HIV test for West Berkshire residents (free)
HIV Test – Postal HIV tests (free)
Fettle – Postal STI testing kits (paid)
Superdrug – Home HIV Test (paid)
Safe Sex Berkshire – sexual health clinic information
It Starts With Me – NHTW campaign website
Mother of all Lists – Being a Positive Mother