News / HIV
Changing how African and Caribbean communities talk about HIV
A sexual health project based in Easton is leading a citywide push for people to get tested for National HIV Testing Week.
Common Ambition Bristol operates across the city to reduce new HIV infections, with a focus on improving prevention methods, testing and care for people of African and Caribbean heritage.
While these communities make up roughly six per cent of Bristol’s population, in 2022 they accounted for nearly 28 per cent of residents living with HIV.
The campaign aims to bridge this gap by encouraging testing, promoting early diagnosis and reducing stigma that often prevents people from seeking care.
Common Ambition is a community-led project focused reducing stigma and increasing testing with people of African and Caribbean heritage – photo: Common Ambition Bristol
Coordinator Matthew Wilson said: “We’ve known for nearly 20 years that someone living with HIV who’s on treatment and has an undetectable viral load can’t pass it on.
“But that message – ‘Undetectable equals Untransmittable’ (U=U) – hasn’t reached everyone.”
Common Ambition’s aim is to shift the narrative around who is affected by HIV and how we discuss it.
In Bristol, the vast majority of people living with HIV are on effective treatment, living long, healthy lives and are unable to transmit the virus.
Preventive medicines known as PrEP and PEP make it easier than ever to stay protected:
- PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a pill taken regularly before sex that greatly reduces the chance of getting HIV.
- PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is an emergency treatment taken after possible exposure to HIV and must be started within 72 hours.
Matthew encourages anyone who is sexually active to test, saying that “knowing your status is empowering”.
“You hear people talk about being ‘clean’ or ‘unclean,’ which we’d never say about other conditions – and for African Caribbean heritage communities, there’s a historical layer of shame and hyper‑sexualised stereotypes rooted in racism and colonialism.
“There’s no evidence that the higher HIV rates African Caribbean heritage communities experience are from having more sex or having more sexual partners.
“What we know is that it’s clearly linked to socioeconomic factors. Poverty has a really big impact – education, access and awareness.”
Matthew also highlighted the role of faith and culture: “Some beliefs around sex and relationships can make people reluctant to talk about HIV, but that’s changing.
“We see faith communities stepping up, saying: everyone deserves good health, and this affects us all.”
Around two-thirds of the businesses involved in National HIV Testing Week are in east Bristol – Easton, Lawrence Hill and Barton Hill – because those areas have a higher African and Caribbean heritage community presence.
Enhanced Barbers is one of the several places you will find Common Ambition during National HIV Testing Week – photo: Common Ambition Bristol
Launched in 2021, Common Ambition Bristol grew out of a pilot project supported by The Health Foundation and is part of the charity Brigstowe with a mission to tackle health inequalities faced by African and Caribbean heritage communities, where services were not effectively reaching people.
Now, the project has moved from temporary funding to becoming an internal part of Bristol’s integrated sexual health service.
Early on, the project employed community members across advisory, evaluation and delivery groups – shaping campaigns, outreach and policy alongside NHS and council partners.
Matthew, who joined soon after its launch, said: “What felt forward‑thinking is that Common Ambition puts the principle of ‘nothing about us without us’ right at its heart.”
“That doesn’t happen often in healthcare – usually there’s a hierarchy – the ‘expert’ and the ‘patient.’ We wanted to break that down.”
Common Ambition Bristol is part of the charity Brigstowe based in Easton – photo: Carla Wakfer
Common Ambition Bristol partners with the NHS to provide monthly sexual health clinics. These drop-in sessions take place at the Montpelier Health Centre on the first Thursday of every month and at the Charlotte Keel Medical Practice in Easton on the last Thursday of every month.
On Tuesday, Common Ambition is hosting a pop-up testing event at Enhanced Barbers in Staple Hill from 11am to 3pm.
“Barbershops are trusted spaces, especially for men,” said Matthew.
“People chat freely, so it’s a brilliant way to spark honest conversations about sexual health.”
The team will supply participating venues with condoms, flyers, testing information and HIV self‑test kits – quick oral swabs that give results in 15 minutes.
The aim is to normalise testing, Matthew said, and tell people “this isn’t something to be ashamed of”.
For those who’ve never been tested, he said: “Do it. Whether it’s at one of our barbershop events or your GP, knowing your status is the first step to looking after your health.”
“We already have the tools to end new cases of HIV – testing, treatment, PrEP,” he went on.
“The work now is making sure everyone feels empowered and supported to use them.”
“It’s amazing seeing someone realise they have these options,” says Common Ambition Bristol coordinator Matthew Wilson – photo: Common Ambition Bristol
To find out more about Common Ambition Bristol, visit commonambitionbristol.org.uk; and to learn more about HIV, visit yunosexualhealth.co.uk/stis/hiv
Carla Wakfer is reporting on Easton as part of Bristol24/7’s Community Reporters programme, aiming to amplify marginalised voices and communities often overlooked by mainstream media.
This initiative is funded by our public, Better Business members and a grant from the Nisbets Trust.
Main photo: Common Ambition Bristol
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