Living with HIV
Member Stories
Listen to our members sharing their experiences experiences of living with HIV.
Useful Information
A list of websites offering information and support around HIV.
“When I look in the mirror I see the same old me. I have HIV, but [HIV] doesn’t have me.”
Listen to our Podcast
Commissioned by Eyes Open
Mark was diagnosed with HIV back in 1997, when treatment for HIV was only just being introduced. Mark talks about how he has navigated and overcome some shocking experiences of discrimination and how he now helps to raise awareness of HIV and helps others living with it.
Andy shares his story of living with HIV for many years, being diagnosed in 2000. With a normal CD4 count at the time of diagnosis (measure of the strength of his immune system), Andy did not start medication straight away. Today, medication is most effective when started soon after diagnosis.
Becky is a mother of 3. Becky shares her experience of being diagnosed in Africa, marrying her husband who is not living with HIV and breastfeeding her babies. She also gives some wise advise on how to view HIV and how to get support to live well.
Toby talks about finding out he was living with HIV after going for an HIV test due to a seroconversion illness (an early sign that his immune system was being weakened after becoming HIV+). With little prior knowledge of HIV, Toby talks about his journey from shame to self compassion and wellbeing. Toby talks about U=U (undetectable=untransmittable), this means that when people take medication regularly, they can’t pass on to sexual partners.
Julieanne has been living with HIV for nearly 20 years. She would like to educate people about HIV, stigma and discrimination which can be upsetting and devastating for some people. Julieanne speaks about her own experiences of stigma and would like to speak up for people who don’t feel they have a voice.
We are delighted to share our podcast "I have HIV: Fighting the stigma" that our members have made with BBC Sounds please take some time to listen and share with all your family and friends.
Thank you to the producers: Ed Hanson & Jonathan Morrell.
Blue Sky Trust Member Stories
Watch the videos below to hear Blue Sky Trust members share their experiences of living with HIV…
Useful Information
Terrence Higgins Trust
Terrence Higgin’s Trust are the UK’s leading HIV and Sexual Health charity. They support people living with HIV and amplify their voices, and help the people using their services to achieve good sexual health.
National AIDS Trust
National AIDS Trust are the UK’s HIV rights charity. They work to stop HIV from standing in the way of health, dignity and equality, and to end new HIV transmissions. They support people who have experienced stigma & discrimination
Changing Perceptions
Changing Perceptions is a community-led project, shaped and guided by people who responded to the Positive Voices survey. The Positive Voices survey is the UKHSA’s national survey of people living with HIV, which is the largest survey of people living with HIV in the UK. In 2022, it was completed by roughly 4,500 people living with diagnosed HIV who were invited to take part through their local HIV clinic, and covered a wide range of topics. This represents approximately 1 in 20 people living with diagnosed HIV in England, Wales, and Scotland.
Looped In
Looped In is created and run by NAT (National AIDS Trust). It allows users to create custom webpages that can be shared with others to support conversations about HIV.
Chiva
Chiva’s mission is to ensure that children, young people and young adults growing up with HIV become healthier, happier and more in control of their own futures.
Positive Destinations
Helping people living with HIV plan their travel or relocation with reliable, up-to-date information on regulations that restrict entry, stay, and residency based on HIV-positive status, as well as access to HIV treatment for non-nationals.
aidsmap
Hosted by Terrence Higgins Trust, aidsmap provide an accessible online source of information and news regarding the scientific, medical, legal and social aspects of HIV.
Plushealth
A free online HIV support service who inform, empower, support and improve the lives of people living with HIV, their HIV negative partners, family members, close friends and carers so they can live healthy active lives, free from stigma and prejudice.
Find Your Four
Find Your Four provides guidance to help you to think about four aspects of your broader health and wellbeing (your mind, your body, your everyday life and support now, and in the future). They also offer advice on being an ally and a directory of different services.
Eyes Open
Eyes Open are a North East and Cumbria based regional steering group who raise awareness of HIV throughout the year, thanks to financial and other support from our partners and funders. Eyes Open work around the region in various settings to promote the awareness of HIV and to remove associated stigma.
Liverpool HIV Interactions
A clinically useful, reliable, comprehensive, up-to-date, evidence-based drug-drug interaction resource, freely available to healthcare workers, patients and researchers. Can be used to check if any medications might interact with your HIV medications.