South Londoners team up to tackle HIV stigma

01 December 2025 - King’s launches awareness-raising film to mark World AIDS Day 2025

Three south Londoners have made their debut in a powerful new film to challenge the stigma and community isolation that can come with an HIV diagnosis.

A Changing Landscape: from uncertainty to acceptance is a new mini-documentary film, created by King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and funded by Gilead Sciences. The short film features the experiences of three people all living with HIV.

During the film, Ralph-Lewis Ackah, from Lewisham, talks about his experience of learning as a child that he had been living with HIV since birth, and the difference mental health support has made. He said: “It has been so special seeing the impact the film has had on people. If it helps just one person who is struggling, then together with everyone featured in the film, we’ve achieved something amazing, and I feel really proud of us. I was born with a positive status, but this illness has never defined me, and will never define me.”

Margaret Wereber, from Southwark, also shares her journey of discovering she had HIV during a routine pregnancy appointment with her midwife at King’s. She said: “I have two healthy children, both in their twenties and both HIV negative. My wonderful family and my prayers keep me going. I am so grateful I had that test and was able to start treatment. I would encourage anyone to get an HIV test.

“Stigma is still around, but it just shows a lack of understanding. Education is the best way to raise awareness: if we don’t speak up about HIV, who will?”

Joe Foulsham, from Brixton, speaks about working at the Caldecot Centre at King’s following his diagnosis, peer-mentoring people with HIV. He said: “I really hope this film educates, informs, and above all provides hope to people who may be going through everything that can come with an HIV diagnosis. For me, realising I had HIV was the beginning of a new chapter in my life, and it has brought me stability. A positive diagnosis of HIV is by no means the end: I see a really good, long, prosperous life ahead of me.”

Hayley Cheetham, Senior Charge Nurse, Sexual Health HIV, at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are extremely proud of Ralph, Margaret and Joe, who all spoke so powerfully about their journeys and experiences as people living with HIV as part of this film. They have taken huge steps in challenging people’s perceptions around the illness.

“Over the years, there have been significant progress in treating HIV, and as this film shows us, people with HIV can thrive with the right support and treatment, leading long and healthy lives.

“We are working together with this sector organisations, schools and faith groups, and GP services, so this film can be used as an educational resource, as well as rolling it out across the Trust as a training tool for our staff and volunteers. Hopefully the film will help change the language around HIV, and encourage more people to take a test and find out their status.”