David Munns steps in to host this insightful episode of HIV Matters, where he welcomes Dr. Ghadeer Elrefaey, a psychiatrist in training, to delve into the critical intersection of Mental Health and HIV. They explore the unique challenges faced by individuals living with HIV, examining the impact on mental wellbeing and the importance of integrated care. Episode Guest Dr Ghadeer Elrefaey Ghadeer Elrefaey is a dedicated psychiatrist in training at the Central and North West London NHS Foundation T...
Apr 02, 2025•31 min•Season 5Ep. 56
HIV Matters explores "Psychological Standards" and the evolving landscape of HIV knowledge. Michelle welcomes Helena King, Senior Lecturer in Management and Health at the Open University, to discuss the latest advancements in HIV understanding and policy. Episode Guest Dr Helena King Helena is a health sociologist and senior lecturer focusing on the link between health and social environments. Her work explores wellbeing, public health, health stigma, and the role of charities in complex care, a...
Mar 19, 2025•32 min•Season 5Ep. 55
HIV Matters puts the spotlight on the "Terrence Higgins Trust" in this informative episode. Michelle is joined by returning guest host Winnie and special guest Richard Angell to discuss the vital work of this renowned organisation in supporting people affected by HIV. Episode Guest Richard Angell OBE Richard is Chief Executive of Terrence Higgins Trust, joining in March 2023. Formerly Campaigns Director and interim Head of Policy & Public Affairs, he led the charity's 40th-anniversary commem...
Mar 12, 2025•58 min•Season 5Ep. 54
HIV Matters tackles the important topic of "HIV and Aging." Michelle welcomes Anne Hughes from George House Trust to discuss the unique challenges and considerations faced by older adults living with HIV. Tune in for insights on aging gracefully, managing long-term health, and accessing specialised support services. Episode Guest Anna Hughes Anna coordinates the Ageing Well Programme at George House Trust, supporting over-50s living with HIV in Greater Manchester and Liverpool. The programme off...
Mar 05, 2025•18 min•Season 5Ep. 53
HIV Matters presents "Living Unashamedly with HIV." Michelle sits down with Matthew Hodgson, former CEO of Gay Men Fighting AIDS and prominent HIV activist, to discuss his journey of living openly with HIV. From his leadership roles to his unwavering advocacy, Matthew shares his insights on overcoming stigma and embracing life authentically. Additional Information and Links CW Plus https://www.cwplus.org.uk/ HIV Matters Bookstore https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/HIVMatters How to contact the show He...
Feb 26, 2025•39 min•Season 5Ep. 52
HIV Matters explores the "Silent Voices" within the HIV community in this poignant episode. Michelle sits down with Lynda Shentall to discuss the experiences of those whose stories often go unheard. Tune in for a conversation that sheds light on the hidden challenges and triumphs faced by individuals living with HIV. Episode Guest Lynda Shentall is a social worker and Service and Development Manager for the HIV charity George House Trust in Manchester. With 30 years' experience in social care, s...
Feb 19, 2025•39 min•Season 5Ep. 51
For our landmark 50th episode, we've got a special treat! We welcome back our friend of the podcast, Jaime Garcia-Iglesias, to discuss DoxyPEP. Plus, we're sharing the initial conversations from our World AIDS Day roundtable, recorded on November 29th, 2024. Join Jaime and chair Chase Ledin as they explore the emergence of DoxyPEP in UK sexual healthcare, and discuss the hopes and concerns surrounding its implementation. Episode Guest Jaime Garcia-Iglesias Jaime is a Mildred Baxter Postdoctoral ...
Feb 12, 2025•41 min•Season 5Ep. 50
HIV Matters takes listeners to Sierra Leone in this compelling episode. Michelle welcomes Prof Simon Taylor-Robinson and Álvaro del Valle Palacios to discuss the vital work of MINI's Village Foundation. They'll explore the challenges of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B in Sierra Leone and how MVF is providing free healthcare and education to combat these diseases and reduce stigma. Episode Guests Prof Simon Taylor-Robinson Simon is a hepatology professor at Imperial College London and former Dean of its...
Feb 05, 2025•54 min•Season 5Ep. 49
HIV Matters puts the spotlight on "Putting People First" in this insightful episode. Michelle welcomes Darren Knight from George House Trust to discuss their crucial work in providing support and advocacy for people living with HIV. Episode Guest Darren Knight Darren Knight is Chief Executive of George House Trust, a charity supporting people with HIV. With 20 years in the sector, he focuses on inclusion, capacity building and empowering those with lived experience. He is passionate about creati...
Jan 29, 2025•35 min•Season 5Ep. 48
HIV Matters explores the power of personal narratives in "Our Stories Told By Us." Join Michelle, extra special guest host Winnie, and Oonagh O'Brien for a discussion on the impact of sharing lived experiences and the diverse journeys within the HIV community. Episode Guest Oonagh O'Brien Oonagh is a Lecturer in Global Health and Development at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, Scotland. Her work focuses on gender, sexual health, and the prevention of female genital mutilation (FGM). Oonag...
Jan 22, 2025•48 min•Season 5Ep. 47
HIV Matters dives into the world of dating apps and their impact on the HIV community. Michelle sits down with Jaime to explore how these platforms are changing the landscape of dating, relationships, and stigma for people living with HIV. Episode Guest Jaime Garcia-Iglesias Jaime is a Midred Baxter Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Centre for Biomedicine, Self and Society at The University of Edinburgh. Jamie is working on exploring how sexual fantasies and desires can be harnessed for HIV pr...
Jan 15, 2025•33 min•Season 5Ep. 46
HIV Matters continues with a powerful episode featuring returning guest Stephen Hart. Michelle explores Stephen's incredible life story, as told through his acclaimed one-man show "Shadowed Dreamer.". Episode Guest Stephen Hart is well known for the critically acclaimed off-broadway show "Shadowed Dreamer", discussing life after becoming a man living with HIV. When finishing this show, Stephen knew there was something more he could do, so decided to start uploading videos to YouTube under the ti...
Jan 08, 2025•18 min•Season 5Ep. 45
HIV Matters returns for its fifth series! In "New Chapter," Michelle catches up with producer Dan and friend of the show David Munns to discuss the evolving landscape of HIV and what they have in store for listeners this season. Episode Guests Producer Dan (Heggie) Dan is a highly experienced and self-motivated Lecturer at the University of East Anglia (UEA) with a passion for teaching and a strong clinical background. He is a confident and engaging communicator with a proven track record of del...
Dec 01, 2024•19 min•Season 4Ep. 44
In this episode, Michelle catches up with friend of the podcast Katie Warburton on updates to her research and work within children living with HIV. Episode Guest Katie Warburton is a lecturer at The University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) and is active member of CHIVA’s executive committee. Additional Information and Links For more information on naming of HIV and information on supporting children living with HIV https://www.chiva.org.uk/ourworkprof/tr/ National HIV Nurse Association (NHIVNA)...
Jun 12, 2024•31 min•Season 4Ep. 43
In this episode, Michelle chats with Dr Philip Ambulai and Rebecca Kanu about Mini's Village Foundation. Subject Description - Mini's Village Foundation (MVF) By 2025, MVF aims to raise awareness and provide screening for HIV and HBV, enabling early treatment interventions and combating the stigma associated with these conditions in Sierra Leone. MVF's mission is to support sexual disease awareness, immunisation, and treatment initiatives, particularly for young people aged 14-50 years. Committe...
Jun 05, 2024•54 min•Season 4Ep. 42
In this episode, Michelle chats with Dr Orla McQuillan. Episode Guest - Dr Orla McQuillan Dr. Orla McQuillan is a Consultant Physician specialising in Genitourinary Medicine, HIV, and Sexual Health at the Withington and Hathersage Centre. She serves as the Fast Track Clinical Lead for Manchester and the site lead for HIV testing. She advocates for the widespread availability of PrEP medication and focuses on raising awareness, education, and enhancing testing and outreach to identify undiagnosed...
May 29, 2024•31 min•Season 4Ep. 41
In this episode, Michelle chats with the Chair of NHIVNA and HIV Nurse of the Year Linda Panton. Episode Guest - Linda Panton Linda Panton, a seasoned clinical nurse specialist, leads HIV care at Edinburgh's Infectious Diseases Unit. With 30 years in the field, she emphasizes compassionate, comprehensive care. Linda was honored as HIV Nurse of the Year in 2022 and chairs the National HIV Nurses Association (NHIVNA) Executive. She actively contributes to national initiatives and conferences, focu...
May 08, 2024•44 min•Season 4Ep. 40
In this episode, Michelle chats with Jen Kendrick around her leadership in HIV care simulated learning. Episode Guest - Jen Kendrick Jen Kendrick is the lead HIV clinical specialist nurse at The Hathersage Centre in Manchester, with 13 years of experience in the field. She began as a band 5 rotational nurse and has since advanced to her current role. Drawn to HIV care by its challenges, Jen finds it profoundly rewarding. She uses her expertise to support patients' health and social care needs, o...
May 01, 2024•39 min•Season 4Ep. 39
Join Michelle as she chats with Graeme Lavery about living with HIV and Autism. Episode Guests Graeme Lavery Graeme Lavery, a Liverpool-based textile artist, draws inspiration from pop culture and LGBT history. Returning to Liverpool in 2014, Graeme joined Sahir House, becoming a public speaker but initially keeping his HIV status private due to stigma. In 2016, he embraced visibility at Liverpool Pride, dressing as "Cupid Stunt" and leading Sahir House. Graeme finds empowerment in textile art, ...
Apr 24, 2024•47 min•Season 4Ep. 38
Fast Track City In this episode, Michelle and Angelina discuss Fast Track Cities with Ian Jackson. Episode Background - Fast Track Cities The Fast-Track Cities initiative is a global partnership between cities and municipalities around the world and four core partners – the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC), the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), and the City of Paris. Additional Information ...
Apr 17, 2024•43 min•Season 4Ep. 37
Join Michelle as she catches up with the progress of the wonderful 'Our Stories Told by Us' book tour with Winnie Ssanyu Sseruma and Memory Sachikonye. Episode Guests Winnie Ssanyu Sseruma Winnie Ssanyu-Sseruma is an International Development consultant based in London, UK. Her consultancy focuses on health trainings, community research, and program evaluations, supporting organizations addressing social justice, women's leadership, and HIV & AIDS. She currently monitors and assesses communi...
Apr 10, 2024•42 min•Season 4Ep. 36
The HIV Podcast In this episode, Michelle speak with the hosts of the HIV Podcast, Sarah Macadam and Jessica Harding. They discuss the success of the podcast, what it means to have the responsibility of an audience and tips on your own podcast journey. Episode Guests - Sarah Macadam and Jessica Harding 'The HIV Podcast' The HIV Podcast separates fact from fiction and tackles HIV myths and misconceptions. We cover all things HIV related from people to historical events, law, health, taboo topics ...
Apr 03, 2024•37 min•Season 4Ep. 35
The focus of the podcast will explore the new platform for people living with HIV living with HIV and Allies. Throughout the podcast we discuss the thinking behind Positive +1 and the benefits of engaging in the online content. Episode Guest Christian is an entrepreneur and the creator of positive +1. Additional Information and Links National HIV Nurse Association (NHIVNA) www.nhivna.org . HIV Matters Bookstore https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/HIVMatters How to contact the show Dr Michelle Croston@ ...
Dec 21, 2023•27 min•Season 4Ep. 34
Monkeypox In this episode, Michelle and Producer Dan talk about the 2023 NHIVNA Conference and Michelle shares and reviews one of her favourite new podcasts. Episode Guest - Producer Dan Producer Dan works as a Senior Lecturer in Nursing at Anglia Ruskin University. He has been working on HIV Matters since the beginning and we are always thankful of the work he puts in to give us our great episodes. Additional Information and Links National HIV Nurse Association (NHIVNA) www.nhivna.org . HIV Mat...
Aug 16, 2023•29 min•Season 3Ep. 33
Monkeypox This episode of the podcast returns to the current narrative of Monkeypox and understands if we have learnt anything from previous epidemics. Within the interview we explore the current themes that are being portrayed in the media with regards to how pandemics are being reported and the lessons we can learn from this as a society. Episode Guest- Dr Maurice Nagington and Dr Jaime García-Iglesias Maurice Nagington is an academic and researcher at the University of Manchester, his researc...
Aug 09, 2023•44 min•Season 3Ep. 32
Join me as I talk to Katy Bourne about the importance of sleep within HIV care. Episode Guest Katy is a clinical psychologist within the Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and also works part time as a lecturer at Lancaster University. She has a special interest in sleep and HIV and we are very happy to welcome her on today's episode. Additional Information and Links HIV Matters Bookstore https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/HIVMatters How to contact the show Dr Michelle Croston - hel...
Aug 02, 2023•49 min•Season 3Ep. 31
Join me as I talk to Oli Brown about the impact he made for HIV activism in the Royal Navy. Episode Guest Lieutenant Commander Oliver Brown was diagnosed with HIV in October 2019 after a bike accident, resulting in a visit to a hospital piloting opt-out HIV tests in its A&E department. This led to him being medically downgraded by the Navy in accordance with policy, despite no medical reason for this. Additional Information and Links HIV Matters Bookstore https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/HIVMatt...
Jul 26, 2023•52 min•Season 3Ep. 30
Join me as I talk to Emma Davy about the the changing face of palliative care and how this relates to those living with HIV. Episode Guest Emma Davy is working as a senior nurse specialist in palliative care, Emma also has a keen interest in HIV care. Additional Information and Links HIV Matters Bookstore https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/HIVMatters How to contact the show Dr Michelle Croston@ michelle.croston@nottingham.ac.uk https://hiv-matters.captivate.fm...
Jul 12, 2023•42 min•Season 3Ep. 29
Join me as I talk to long time friends of the podcast Angelina Namiba and Winnie Ssanyu Sseruma about their upcoming book 'Our Stories Told by Us'. Episode Guests Angelina Namiba Originally from Kenya, Angelina has over 25 years of experience working in the HIV sector on different initiatives ranging from providing one-to-one support to people living with HIV, treatment advocacy, and managing service delivery to facilitating, promoting and advocating for the involvement of women living with HIV ...
Jul 05, 2023•47 min•Season 3Ep. 28
Join me as I talk to Garry Jones about the HIV memorial in Birmingham. Learn the thinking and development around the memorial. Episode Guest Garry Jones is a HIV activist and successful artist Additional Information and Links HIV Matters Bookstore https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/HIVMatters How to contact the show Dr Michelle Croston@ michelle.croston@nottingham.ac.uk https://hiv-matters.captivate.fm...
Jun 28, 2023•46 min•Season 3Ep. 27
