Radio Reverb’s HIV Hour is the world’s only radio show produced for and by people living with HIV. There have been other radio shows globally, but none have run for so long and is the only one broadcasting today. Our show first started in 2015, funded by a grant from the Brighton Rainbow Fund.
Sue Hunter, a long standing member of the team, says: “My first involvement with HIV Hour was when I was invited to tell my story five years ago. Within the year I was asked to be a presenter on the show. As a women living with HIV I believe I am representing a wider community of people and creating better understanding of everyone living with HIV. Our interviews with Jill Nalder from It’s A Sin, James Bushe the pilot who helped change the law for people living with HIV who wanted to fly planes.
“Breaking down stigma is what we do with passion and conviction. Through our chats and our humour we are giving people living with HIV the opportunity to tune in knowing there is common bond between us.”
We reach areas and communities that would otherwise be isolated by geographical location, or technological inequalities. Listeners are mostly from the UK, but the show does have listeners globally thanks to our podcasts.
For example, Bill, an avid listener who lives in the US, says he feels HIV Hour supports him and feels less isolated when listening to other people’s stories from around the world who are living with HIV.
We like to encourage people to step out of their comfort zones as much as they can and be part of the team.
Josh, the producer and co presenter of the show, began working on the HIV Hour through a Terrence Higgins Trust project called Work Positive in 2018.
“I have learnt so much from working on the show, interviewing amazing people with unbelievable stories. Understanding more about my own HIV diagnosis. One thing that is very clear is how much stigma is still around in the world and how shows like HIV Hour are an essential part of tackling this stigma. There are so many new HIV innovations, medical advances and projects at the moment. We endeavour to cover as many as we can.”
Our listeners are a great source of inspiration for our features, we also welcome suggestions for future content and feedback. We cover local HIV news and community events and report on HIV-related news throughout the world. And we are always looking for new presenters who could bring a new perspective to the show.
If you would like to come on the show or contribute please send us an email at hivhour@gmail.com
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Our podcasts are available at Spotify, iTunes and Deezer – just type in HIV Hour.
HIV Hour is broadcast at 7pm UK time on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month on Radioreverb 97.2 FM in the Brighton area and also on DAB+ and ONLINE HERE