A future without HIV stigma is possible and Brighton & Hove is building it
Cllr Mitchie Alexander
In Brighton & Hove, we pride ourselves on being a city that leads, cares and innovates, and this HIV Testing Week is a reminder of how we are living these values. One of the things that makes me incredibly proud of our city is the way we have embraced new ideas to make testing easier for everyone.
Almost a decade ago, the Martin Fisher Foundation received national funding to launch what became the world’s first digital vending machine for HIV self-test kits. Starting off with one vending machine tucked inside the Brighton Sauna, where people could get a test discreetly by answering a few simple questions on a touch screen, it has since grown into a network of vending machines across the city.
These machines are now available in places like libraries, shops, universities and community venues that reach groups who might not otherwise test. More than 7,000 tests have already been dispensed, and an overwhelming 95 per cent of people said they would recommend the experience to others. That tells us that when you make testing accessible, discreet and judgement-free, people respond. They feel empowered to take control of their health and able to break through the stigma that still clings to HIV.
If you have never used a vending machine kit, the process couldn’t be simpler. You choose a kit, the machine dispenses it instantly and you take it home to test in your own time. The HIV kits are designed to be straightforward and reliable, with clear instructions and quick results.
Many people tell me that the convenience makes all the difference and that the presence of these machines in everyday public spaces sends a powerful message that testing should be normal and easy, not something whispered about or hidden away.
This approach sits alongside the wider work happening across the city.
Brighton & Hove has the 8th highest prevalence of diagnosed HIV in England and the highest outside of London and we look forward to publishing our new Sexual Health Strategy soon, outlining our plans for helping people living with HIV to live healthy lives.
As the UK’s first Fast Track City, we have committed to ending new cases of HIV and AIDS by 2030. We know that a person living with HIV, who is on effective treatment, can’t pass the virus on and that testing early means better health and better outcomes. We also know that stigma stops people from testing, talking and feeling supported. That is why reducing stigma isn’t an add-on to our new strategy, it is at the very heart of it.
The Terrence Higgins Trust, Sexual Health & Contraception Service and other community partners work tirelessly to keep testing easy and free. People can pick up home kits from vending machines, order them online, attend clinics or speak to their GP. No one is judged, questioned, or treated as anything other than a person taking care of their health. No one should ever feel embarrassed or ashamed for wanting to know their HIV status.
Testing also plays a role in strengthening our community. Every time someone takes a test, they help normalise the conversation. They show friends, partners and peers that there is nothing unusual or frightening about knowing your status. This reinforces the message that HIV is a manageable condition and that early diagnosis makes all the difference. The more open we are, the safer and more connected we become. It helps to make sure everyone understands that people with an undetectable viral load cannot pass on HIV and raises awareness of our services which work together to reach people who may not feel comfortable accessing traditional healthcare.
Every year it’s inspiring to see how residents continue to support one another, share stories and look out for their neighbours. Volunteers, educators and campaigners have spent decades challenging misinformation and championing kindness.
So, during this HIV Testing Week, I want to encourage everyone to play a small part. Whether you take a test yourself, pick up a kit for a partner, mention the vending machines to a friend or simply choose to speak more openly about HIV, you help shift the culture. You help make Brighton & Hove a place where no one feels alone or judged. A place where people feel able to seek care without fear and where we not only imagine a future without HIV stigma but actively build it. I am proud of the way our city innovates, how we care and how we keep finding new ways to support one another. The journey to getting to zero is a shared one, and every act of openness, every test taken and every conversation makes a difference.
This week let’s keep that momentum going. Let’s keep talking, keep testing and keep looking out for each other, just as Brighton & Hove does best.
Councillor Mitchie Alexander, Cabinet Member for Communities, Equalities, Public Health and Adult Social Care
