HIV, Hope & Charity is a podcast series that gives people living with HIV a voice, along with discussing wider HIV related topics, such as PrEP, issues facing small charities and a bit more of an insight into who we are.
Chatting HIV and busting myths, one podcast at a time!
Click the buttons below to listen or you can tune in via iTunes, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Google Podcasts
Episode 1 – Sarah & Jess
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.
Episode 2 – Sheila
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.
Episode 3 – Andy
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
Episode 4 – Jack D
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.
Episode 5 – Allan
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.
Episode 6 – Sean
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.
Episode 7 – National HIV Testing Week
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
Season 2 Episode 1 – TVPS in Lock-down
Sarah and Jess talk all things lock-down, including how TVPS have adapted their services and how we are staying occupied during this time.
P.E. with Joe Wicks
Camp Fit
Red Run London
Foodbank
Hygiene Bank
Baby Bank
Safe Sex Berkshire
Mark – It’s a Sin Special
After moving to London in the early 90’s Mark was diagnosed with HIV. He shares his experience of being diagnosed at the height of the AIDS epidemic.
Rich – It’s a Sin Special
Rich shares his experience of his wife being diagnosed with HIV in the early 90’s when she was pregnant with their son.
We also give a shout-out to some other great HIV related podcasts
Podcast | Positively UK
Positively Thriving | LiVLife
HIV Hour – RadioReverb
Tell Me About It on acast
Talking Stigma with Gareth Thomas (podbean.com)
Sean – It’s a Sin Special
Sean talks with us about his experiences of being a young gay man during the 80s and 90s and also his experiences of volunteering as a ‘buddy’ with TVPS for those who were dying of AIDS during that time. He’s our very own Jill!
Below you can find the links we mentioned, and more…
aidsmap | aidsmap
Avert | Global information and education on HIV and AIDS
Home | Safe Sex Berkshire
Home | Terrence Higgins Trust (tht.org.uk)
