Nursing HIVstory: Remembering the AIDS Pandemic

In recognition of World AIDS Day on 1st December, this event shares insights into a project collaboration between the RCN History of Nursing Forum and HIVstory, an innovative and exciting outreach project imagined by The National HIV Story Trust.

Gathering oral histories and video recordings of nurses, midwives and support workers during the 1980s, this first-of its-kind project will raise awareness of the AIDS pandemic and generate positive social change, particularly with younger generations who may have little or no knowledge of this period of history.

The event gives an overview of the project and features talks by participants and others from the field of HIV/AIDS nursing.

Alongside this, there will be a pop-up display of the stories in the RCN Library and Museum from 22 November to 6 December 2025.

Speakers

Paul Coleman is a BAFTA nominated TV Director and Producer. Having himself lived through and survived the AIDS pandemic of the 80s and 90s, he was inspired by the incredible testimony of those who have taken this same journey, and the stories of those who were lost.

As Co-Founder of the NHST he is incredibly grateful to all those people who support the charity, and who have joined him in ensuring the testimony and history of those times can never be forgotten

Peter Mackereth is an Honorary Lecturer/Researcher at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, where he previously work as a Clinical Lead Nurse for Health and Wellbeing Services. He also volunteers at the Moya Cole Hospice in South Manchester, providing therapies to patients and carers. In the 80s and early 90s, Peter worked in Intensive care nursing in London and was involved in providing care for people affected by AIDS/HIV.

Dr Carol Pellowe worked with Professor Robert Pratt for over 20 years, initially on HIV/AIDS, offering courses both in the UK and overseas. They ran a unique AIDS Education Unit that covered all educational initiatives in the North West Thames Region of London, and abroad for the British Council and the WHO. They wrote and published the supporting material for these events.

Annette Breen is a retired nurse and health visitor. Her first post after she qualified was at Charing Cross Hospital and she remembers many young men with AIDS / HIV who were cared for there. Annette worked for over 40 years in the NHS and for associated arm's length bodies in a wide range of roles through direct patient care, quality and safety, operational management through to policy and strategy at regional and national levels.

Professor Ben Thomas is the Mental Health and Learning Disability Adviser for RCN Wales, and Professor of Mental Health and Learning Disabilities at London South Bank University. Ben’s research interests include addressing health inequalities and improving the mental health of minority and disadvantaged groups.

Image: Historical Nursing Journals, 1985.

This event is in person and open to all.

Doors open at 5.30pm and the talks begin at 6pm.There will be a chance to look around the HIV Stories pop-up exhibition beforehand and refreshments are provided.

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