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We are positive - Positively UK

About Us

Positively UK offers peer-led support, advocacy, and information to empower individuals living with HIV to effectively navigate every aspect of their diagnosis, care, and life with HIV.

A BRIEF INTRODUCTION

Positively UK is a national charity dedicated to protecting the health and wellbeing of people living with HIV through tailored peer support, advocacy for positive attitudes, and equitable access to healthcare.

We promote education and research on health, particularly related to HIV. We campaign against HIV discrimination, increasing the involvement, voice and visibility of people living with HIV in all aspects of life.

We provide peer-led support, advocacy and information to everyone living with HIV to effectively manage any aspect of their diagnosis, care and life. We believe that people living with HIV are best placed to advocate for their own needs.

Working in partnership with the NHS, our peer support is integrated into 12 clinics across London. We host various peer-led support groups for women, heterosexual men and gay men. We organise events and workshops for recently diagnosed individuals, those planning parenthood, or currently pregnant. These events feature talks with activists, clinicians and life coaches. Our goal is to support people and help them meet peers and form meaningful friendships.

We offer training for people with HIV to deliver efficient peer support and collaborate with clinics and voluntary organisations around the UK to establish peer support programmes.

We aim to influence policy and decision makers in order to improve systems and services for people living with HIV. We host events such as the Biannual Conference of People Living with HIV and are a stakeholder of NHS England’s Clinical Reference Group. Our staff are community representative on the Independent Advisory Group on AIDS, the National HIV Nurses AssociationLondon Fast Track Cities Initiative the  UKCAB.

Our front-line services are provided by trained staff and volunteers who are living with HIV and best placed to support others, by using their personal and practical understanding of the health and social implications of living with a long-term condition that carries stigma within society. Currently 85% of our staff team, including our CEO and 95% of our volunteers are living with HIV. By our constitution, at least half our board of trustees must also be living with HIV. As members of the organisation, beneficiaries are responsible for agreeing annual accounts and electing the board of trustees at our Annual General Meeting.

Our Story

In 1987, two courageous women living with HIV were tired of the lack of support services for women living with HIV and took matters into their own hands. They placed hand-drawn posters at clinics and invited other women to meet in their living room. From this, the charity Positively Women was founded, with its ethos of peer led support.

Over time new communities came seeking peer-led support including parents, heterosexual men, newly diagnosed gay men, and young people and thus Positively UK was formed.

Today we still we believe that the emotional and practical needs of people living with HIV can only be truly understood and addressed by the meaningful involvement of people living with HIV.

Now Positively UK, our peer support services stand alongside our campaigning and policy work to improve services and care for people living with HIV in the UK.

OUR MISSION

Our unwavering mission is to empower and support individuals living with HIV, by prividing the knowledge, tools, and connections they need to live fulfilling lives and reduce the stigma surrounding HIV. Our commitment to this mission is rooted in compassion, resilience, and a profound dedication to promoting the well-being of people with HIV.

OUR VISiON

A society where people with HIV live happy, healthy, and stigma-free lives.

Knowledge

Advancing education and research about health, particularly the health of those who have HIV and any associated health condition.

CONFIDENCE

Protecting the health of people by the provision of support services to people living with HIV and any associated health condition.

CONNECTION

Providing person-centred advice and assistance to benefit people living with HIV and any associated health condition.

Meet OUR TEAM

Our front-line services are provided by people living with HIV, who are best placed to support others, using their personal and practical understanding of the health and social implications of living with HIV.

Silvia-Petretti - Positively UK
CEO

Silvia Petretti

Beatrice-Osoro
Statutory Contracts Team Manager

Beatrice Osoro

Sara-Fraser - Positively UK
Services Lead

Sara Fraser

blank staff photo
Senior Case Worker

Joyce

A man wearing a cap
Gay Men Project Coordinator

Chris O’Hanlon

Helen-Rogers
Women’s Support Worker

Helen Rogers

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Homerton Peer Navigator

Janine Read

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Case Worker Coordinator

Julie Willis

Youth Peer Support Worker

Michelle Bockor

Memory-Sachikonye
Admin and Finance Lead

Memory Sachikonye

Neo-Moepi
Women’s Project Coordinator

Neo Moepi

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Fundraising and Communications Lead

Ellie Angus

Welfare Rights Advisor

Rosa Midheksa-Kenea

A man in a shirt wearing a red ribbon
Training and Volunteer Manager

Harun Tulunay

Shiraaz - Positively UK
SHIELD Study Community Researcher

Shiraaz Sidat

David Wyatt - Positively UK

David Wyatt

Eli - Positively UK
Youth Project and LGBTQ+ Coordinator

Eli Fitzgerald

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Peer Support Coordinator

Samantha Katembere

Pawel - Positively UK
Peer Navigator at Homerton Hospital

Pawel Brozek

Vimbai Mandaza - PositivelyUK
Project coordinator for the Partnership For Black People’s Health

Vimbai Mandaza

Konzo Ngoma - Positively UK
Admin assistant

Konzo Ngoma

A woman smiling in a park
Women's Support Service Coordinator

Susana de Oliveira

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Communications Officer

Isabella

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Peer Navigator (Connect2Care Project)

Arun

Amy Staff Picture
Peer Support Coordinator

Amy Vindidu

CEO

Silvia Petretti

Silvia was appointed Positively UK’s CEO in February 2019; she firstly joined Positively UK in 1999  as volunteer in the organisation Community Development Team providing treatment information to women attending HIV clinics. Soon she became a staff member leading on support for women with drug and alcohol issues and providing outreach in Holloway prison.  Since then Silvia has worked in many roles as a manager, from setting up PozFem, the first national women’s network, developing new activists through the Taking Part Project and the recent Changing Perceptions campaign. Silvia has also represented people with HIV on the British HIV Association (BHIVA) board, between 2008 and 2011, chaired the UK CAB and represented the Global Network of People Living with HIV at the United Nations; she currently sits on World Health Organisation advisory board on women and HIV. Silvia. Silvia has been living with HIV for 23 years.

Statutory Contracts Team Manager

Beatrice Osoro

Bea joined Positively UK in 1995 first as a service user, then a volunteer and from 2005 worked as a case worker coordinating HIV and Immigration project, before joining the case work team in 2007.  From 2009 Beatrice has been managing the statutory contracts,  as well as delivers outreach services in clinics and facilitates the various support groups within the organisation. Bea’s passion is to enable people with HIV to be informed and empowered to make decisions to live fulfilled lives with HIV

Services Lead

Sara Fraser

Sarah joined positively UK as a volunteer coordinator in 1997 after 7 years experience of volunteering at The Landmark HIV centre in South London. At that time all peer support at Positively UK was provided by paid staff. The main focus of her work with Positively UK has always been with volunteers and in particular developing the role of volunteers in peer support. In 2012 she managed the pilot HIV peer mentoring project and pregnancy peer mentoring and now manages the national roll out of Project 100. Her interest is in the role that volunteering has in people reaching their full potential.

Senior Case Worker

Joyce

Joyce joined the organisation in 1997, first as a volunteer, supporting the administration team. She later joined the Case Worker team in 2003 as Sessional Worker, co-ordinating HIV services in South London. Now Joyce is the organisations project lead co-ordinator in the borough of Brent. She also does outreach in different clinics; working alongside health professionals in other boroughs. Her role involves advocacy and equipping service users with knowledge, skill and confidence to make informed choices on how to manage their own health.

Gay Men Project Coordinator

Chris O’Hanlon

Chris is our Gay Men’s Project Coordinator and Caseworker, responsible for leading our Gay Men’s Groups and spearheading the creation of the Positively UK Podcasts. With a rich background in HIV campaigning and activism spanning numerous charitable organisations, television, and radio, Chris is a familiar face in the advocacy landscape. Prior to joining Positively UK, Chris honed his skills as a qualified Clinical Hypnotherapist and Sports Injury Therapist, specialising in Anxiety, Depression, and various phobias. His experience extends to coaching and development, emphasizing a holistic approach to well-being.  An accomplished public speaker, Chris is dedicated to highlighting and educating on issues surrounding HIV, challenging persistent stigmas, and fostering a supportive environment for individuals living with HIV.

I am deeply committed to supporting individuals living with HIV and challenging the persisting stigma. Empowering others to overcome obstacles is my passion, and I am thrilled to contribute to Positively UK’s impactful mission. Despite being a small charity, we make a significant difference!

Women’s Support Worker

Helen Rogers

Helen joined Positively UK in October 2016. She was previously with the Positive Balance debt advice team at Lighthouse South London. She has been facilitating STR8TALK for 7 years and is trained to deliver the expert patient programme. Helen is accredited with a level 3 in Information, Advice and guidance. She has also trained with Advice UK.

Homerton Peer Navigator

Janine Read

Our peer navigator Janine joined Positively UK in November 2013. She is based at the Jonathan Mann clinic within the Clifden centre, Homerton hospital where she provides support and advice on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. She is passionate about the principle of peer support and very much enjoys the privilege and opportunity  to deliver this service.

Case Worker Coordinator

Julie Willis

Julie joined Positively UK as a peer mentor and has been volnteering as a welfrae and benefits advisor before becoming a Casework Coordinator in 2016. Julie is currently providing outreach at the HIV clinics at Ealing and Royal Free. She is passionate about supporting people living with HIV in their life journeys.

Youth Peer Support Worker

Michelle Bockor

Michelle is our Youth Project Coordinator, she found out about her status at age 13 and is a member of the Body and Soul charity community. Therefore, her aim is to help support and encourage young people who are positive! Michelle loves the creative arts especially theatre. She is a member of the National Theatres Public Acts company and has a background in the performing arts. Michelle was a peer mentor assistant for The Fitzrovia Youth in Action Programme. She also on the Youth Board of Project Phakama where she was trained in drama facilitation.

Admin and Finance Lead

Memory Sachikonye

Memory was a volunteer service user from Positively Women 2002 to 2008. She lives openly with HIV and considers herself a mentor to other people, especially women, living or affected by HIV. She believes working in solidarity with diverse HIV advocates to ensure that several voices are heard as one. Memory coordinated the UK Community Advisory Board (UK-CAB) for ten years. UK-CAB is a network of HIV treatment advocates across the UK and is a project within HIV i-Base. She has gained vast experience in the HIV sector through working and volunteering within the HIV sector at local, national and international levels.

Women’s Project Coordinator

Neo Moepi

Neo Moepi is currently coordinating Positively UK’s Women project. Before joining as a Women’s Project Coordinator, she was coordinating our Catwalk4Power and Positive Talks projects. She has also volunteered for other projects, including our Taking Part and Pregnancy Journey. She is an activist, advocate, peer educator/trainer and a public speaker passionate about reproductive rights, mental wellbeing and social welfare of women living with HIV. Neo is a member of the 4M Networks a UK National Network of Peer Mentor Mothers and UKCAB. Neo holds a BA(Hons) in Social Work and has extensive experience in Peer Mentoring and casework.

Fundraising and Communications Lead

Ellie Angus

Ellie is leading on our fundraising and communication. She has worked in both fundraising and programme management roles for a range of humanitarian and development organisations, and as such is passionate about beneficiaries’ involvement in design and evaluation.

Welfare Rights Advisor

Rosa Midheksa-Kenea

Rosa has worked as Housing, Debt, Money and Welfare Rights Advisor for Stonewall Housing, Account3 and St. Munog’s. Her last post was Housing and Welfare Rights Advisor for Hackney Recovery Service where she supported diverse member of the community to access services and benefits.

“I am excited to be part of Positively UK. I always wanted to be an advocate for social rights  from a very young age. I enjoy the interaction with different client groups, and also getting positive outcome for the clients. I understand how hard it is at times to access services and communicate effectively. I want to work for organisation that delivers service in a holistic manner.”  

Training and Volunteer Manager

Harun Tulunay

Born in Turkey, Harun worked as an events manager for over 10 years. He moved to the UK in 2015 to escape anti-LGBT+ hostility and discrimination. 

 When Harun was diagnosed with HIV in 2016, he chose to use the experience to become an ambassador for good sexual and mental health, volunteering for several London-based charities. In 2020 he decided to devote himself fully to HIV support work and left events and digital marketing. He joined Positively UK, where he currently works as a Training and Volunteer Manager. He is also a member of NHS England HIV Clinical Reference Group (CRG) as a Patient and Public Voice (PPV) Partner since June 2023 and was elected to the UK-CAB Steering Committee, UK Community Advisory Board, in August 2023.

In June 2022 he contracted Mpox and was hospitalised for 10 days, becoming one of the most severe cases in the UK. He shared his experience publicly to raise awareness of the condition and to challenge the stigma around it. His story has been shared with the world by WHO and UN and included in many campaigns, podcasts, and articles worldwide to raise awareness.

Harun is committed to speaking publicly and sharing his life experiences to tackle stigma and raise awareness of sex positivity, HIV, Mpox, and ADHD/mental health, as well as the stigma he faced as a gay man in Turkey. He also works as a peer mentor to support others living with HIV and shares up-to-date information on sexual health both in Turkish and English through his social media.

 

SHIELD Study Community Researcher

Shiraaz Sidat

Shiraaz joined our team as one of our Peer Navigators providing peer support at Homerton. He has now moved to a research role for the SHIELDS study. He holds a MSc in Health Psychology from University College London and has worked in the HIV/Sexual Health sector since 2017. Most of his work has focussed on supporting others to improve their sexual health, relationships and emotional wellbeing. He is also a Trustee at Plushealth, an online HIV Peer Support charity, and leads on the development and design of how impact is measured.

David Wyatt

David joined us in July 2021 after volunteering with us for five years. He is a Peer Caseworker and Coordinator for the East London area. David has been living with HIV for 20 years.

Part of his volunteering was working with the Seeds gardening project- as he enjoys plants and gardens. He previously worked for a development agency supporting projects in developing countries. He likes to travel around the world and has now been to over 150 countries.

Youth Project and LGBTQ+ Coordinator

Eli Fitzgerald

Eli is a young transgender man living with HIV. He joined Positively UK’s Youth Team in autumn 2021 to pilot services for transgender people living with HIV. For the past few years Eli has been advocating for young people living and growing up with HIV through his work with CHIVA. He wants to ensure that the voices of young people living with HIV are heard and respected. Eli is also an advocate for transgender people living with HIV and has spoken at several HIV conferences and events.

“It is important that all people living with HIV have their voices heard, their needs met, and to have representation” – this is something Eli finds important and aims to work towards.

Peer Support Coordinator

Samantha Katembere

Samantha has recently become our Peer Support Coordinator and has a passion for empowering the lives of HIV positive people. She has taken over the monthly Str8Talk meetings with the goal of lessening isolation and increasing the participants’ confidence. Prior to that she was part of our admin team. She has been a service user for over 10 years and has taken part in both virtual and in-person meetings. She is a qualified teacher of English to speakers of other languages and has previously spent time working in Southern Africa. Samantha loves theatre and having a chance to go and see live productions is always on her agenda.

Peer Navigator at Homerton Hospital

Pawel Brozek

Pawel has worked in the hospitality industry and has a passion for volunteering. When he was diagnosed and received support, he was inspired by the kindness of others to give back and help those in need. It was this experience that sparked a desire in him to make a difference and pay it forward, ensuring that others would receive the same care and support that he did. He decided to become an HIV Peer Navigator in Homerton Hospital and use his own experience to support and guide others. By sharing his knowledge and understanding, he hopes to make a positive impact on the lives of those he helps, just as others did for him when he needed it most. He believes in the power of goodwill and empathy.

Project coordinator for the Partnership For Black People’s Health

Vimbai Mandaza

Vimbai joined our team as the the Coordinator for thePartnership For Black People’s Health. The project aims to explore novel approaches to effectively tackle the health disparities encountered in Black African and Black Caribbean communities.

With a recent MSc in Global Health, Vimbai brings a strong interest and understanding of healthcare inequalities, women’s health and sexual and reproductive health and rights, especially for minority communities and those from the global south. With a recent degree in Global Health, Vimbai brings a strong understanding of healthcare inequalities, particularly within minority communities and from the global south.

My role aligns with the organisation’s vision and mission by addressing health inequalities, facilitating peer support, monitoring project activities, and collaborating to improve healthcare accessibility for Black individuals living with HIV.”  – Vimbai

Admin assistant

Konzo Ngoma

Konzo is our Admin Assistant, supporting us with our financial and administrative tasks. Konzo has an applied Accounting level 4 in AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) and experience in Business Administration. She brings a wealth of expertise and a passion for making a difference.

In Konzo’s own words:
“I am passionate about supporting people living with HIV, reducing health inequalities, and striving to make a positive impact on business and people’s lives.”

Women's Support Service Coordinator

Susana de Oliveira

Transitioning from a five-year corporate career, Susana brings her expertise to our team as the Women’s Support Service Coordinator. In this role, she dedicates herself to empowering women in Lambeth, Lewisham, and Southwark through our Bridges Partnership, where she facilitates monthly support groups.

As a qualified holistic therapist, Susana specialises in women’s well-being and health, delving into topics such as reproductive health, self-love, and nurturing practices. Her passion for herbal remedies drives her exploration of nature’s healing powers, aiming to enhance overall health and wellness. With a holistic approach that encompasses body, mind, emotions, and spirit, Susana is deeply committed to guiding individuals toward lifestyle improvements and holistic wellness.

Communications Officer

Isabella

Responsible for implementing our communication strategy, Isabella ensures Positively UK’s visibility and manages our online presence.

Peer Navigator (Connect2Care Project)

Arun

Meet Arun, our Peer Navigator at Chelsea & Westminster NHS Trust. With an extensive background spanning over six years in the health and social care sector, Arun brings a wealth of experience to our team.

Throughout his career, Arun has played integral roles in supporting a diverse range of client groups including those marginalised and living with HIV.  Armed with a Level 3 Health and Social Care Diploma, Arun has a deep understanding of the complexities within the healthcare landscape.

Arun is committed to leveraging his lived experiences to support others, empowering them to enhance their health and wellbeing. His dedication is fuelled by a profound commitment to combat stigma, discrimination, inequality and injustice.

Peer Support Coordinator

Amy Vindidu

With a diagnosis of HIV twenty years ago, Amy received support from family, friends, and organisations such as Positively UK. This support fuelled her dedication to ensuring that everyone living with HIV feels empowered, supported, and capable of living without stigma.

Amy finds satisfaction in engaging with clients and assisting them in living their best lives with HIV. Beyond her professional duties, she has also contributed to HIV volunteering efforts during her time in Germany!

Meet OUR TRUSTEES

Robert-James - Positively UK
Trustee

Robert James

LeaSuwanna-Griffith
Trustee

LeaSuwanna Griffith

Peter-Oswaldt
Trustee

Peter Oswaldt

Shema-Tariq - Positively UK

Shema Tariq

Corinne-Squire - Positively UK
Trustee

Corinne Squire

tristan
Chair

Tristan Barber

Trustee

Ant Babajee | he/him

Trustee

Robert James

Robert teaches on the qualifying social work courses at Sussex University.  Before teaching, he worked as a social worker for people with drug, alcohol and mental health issues and for the NHS promoting greater patient involvement.  His PhD thesis looked at the history of HIV activism in England before and after the introduction of effective treatment.  He has been involved in the HIV sector since the late 1980s at various times volunteering or working for NAT, THT, Mainliners, Body Positive, the Haemophilia Society, etc.  He is interested in law and medicine, having done research on the criminalisation of transmission of diseases and is currently the community member of the BHIVA’s HIV and viral hepatitis clinical guidelines writing group. He is involved in the ‘Infected Blood’ public inquiry into the circumstances leading to the infection of blood and blood products with HIV and viral hepatitis during the 1970s and 1980s.  He likes watching sports and is a season ticket holder at Brighton and Hove Albion FC.

Trustee

LeaSuwanna Griffith

LeaSuwanna has been living openly with HIV for 17 years and many more to come. Next to being a mother of two children and a HIV negative partner, she is an avid activist (Act Up London, HIV Voices, Her Story & Changing Perception) and a trained HIV peer mentor. She is also a patient representative for the Royal College of Physicians, Newham CCG, Sir Ludwig Guttman Centre Patient Forum, GP Patient rep & HIV CRG sub group. Most recently LeaSuwanna is a Bart’s Health NHS Trust Nursing Associate apprentice.

Trustee

Peter Oswaldt

After a career in banking and international finance Peter joined Positively UK as well as Positive East as a peer mentor. He has been supporting clients both on a one to one basis and through groups such as Gay Talk for the last four years. He has also helped and supported, as a volunteer and with the support of other  charities, asylum seekers  fleeing persecution based on their sexual orientation. Peter is passionate about the positive impact of peer mentoring in improving the well being of people living with HIV and very proud to be involved in the country’s leading charity on HIV peer mentoring.

Shema Tariq

Dr Shema Tariq is a Clinical Research Fellow at UCL’s Institute for Global Health, and Honorary Consultant HIV Physician at Mortimer Market Centre. Her main area of interest is the reproductive and post-reproductive health of women living with HIV, and the representation of women in HIV research.  She is the Vice-Chair of the British HIV Association’s HIV and pregnancy Guidelines Writing Committee and Vice-Chair of SWIFT (a national knowledge network for research in HIV and women), as well as immediate past chair of the 4M Mentor Mother Programme Steering Group.  Shema brings particular expertise in grant writing, collaborative research with third-sector, and HIV clinical practice.

Trustee

Corinne Squire

Corinne Squire is Professor of Social Sciences and Co-Director, Centre for Narrative Research, University of East London. Corinne volunteered with THT in the 1980s and has been involved with research and activism around HIV since then. She has conducted longitudinal qualitative research with people living with HIV in the UK and South Africa, about their resources and support needs, since 1993.
Chair

Tristan Barber

Dr Tristan Barber MA MD FRCP is a Consultant Physician in HIV Medicine at the Ian Charleson Day Centre, Royal Free Hospital, and Honorary Associate Professor at the Institute for Global Health, University College London. He a British HIV Association (BHIVA) Trustee and Executive Committee member, as well as Chair of the BHIVA Education and Scientific Subcommittee. He has a research background in HIV-related neurocognitive impairment and phase 3 clinical trials, having been awarded his doctorate by the University of Cambridge in 2019, and recently establish a dedicated frailty service for ageing patients with HIV infection (The SAGE Clinic). He is passionate about supporting global HIV educational and research programmes.

Trustee

Ant Babajee | he/him

Ant has been volunteering as a peer mentor with Positively UK since 2016 and was elected as one of our trustees at our annual general meeting in November 2023.

Diagnosed with HIV in 2007 and describing himself as being ‘unashamedly undetectable’, Ant is a former BBC journalist, award-winning activist, public health graduate, and coaching professional apprentice.

Ant has more than 20 years of experience in marketing and communication roles. His day job is based at Middlesex University, where he is a CRM [Customer Relationship Management] Manager and is studying the Coaching Professional Apprenticeship. He graduated from MDX with a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Public Health in 2021.

Ant is a Mental Health First Aider and volunteers in numerous other roles, including as a member of the NHS England LGBTI+ Sounding Board, as a branch LGBT+ officer and regional LGBT+ committee member of UNISON, as a member of National AIDS Trust’s Community Advisory Group, and as an advocacy team member of the London chapter of the Impulse Group, which aims to engage, support and connect queer men globally to community health initiatives.

Ant features in some of the videos from our Find Your Four series, including a video explaining the power of peer support to help people live well with HIV.

For the past decade, Ant has used his media skills to raise awareness about HIV and has been interviewed on numerous occasions, including for ITV News, Sky News, 5 News, BBC Three, and Radio 2. He was also invited to speak on discrimination in healthcare at the European Parliament in Brussels in 2014.

As a member of the UK-CAB HIV treatment advocates’ network, the British HIV Association (BHIVA), the National HIV Nurses Association (NHIVNA), and the European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS), Ant is passionate about reducing HIV stigma and believes a key message of empowerment for HIV-positive people is #UequalsU – the hashtag that has spawned a worldwide activism movement to spread the word that having an undetectable viral load makes an HIV-positive person unable to transmit the virus. He was also featured in the BBC’s landmark 2018 documentary about the battle for PrEP [pre-exposure prophylaxis] to be made available, The People vs The NHS: Who Gets the Drugs?

Ant was awarded Change Maker of the Year by Stonewall in the 2023 Workplace Equality Index for his LGBT+ and HIV activism and advocacy.

Thanks to an ERASMUS exchange year at the University of Cologne, Ant speaks German and is passionate about the arts, Doctor Who, and Eurovision.

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