Nursing HIVstory: Remembering the AIDS Pandemic
27 Nov 2025, 17:30 - 19:30
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Join us in exploring the stories of nurses, midwives and support workers during the early years of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
In recognition of World AIDS Day on 1st December this event shares the stories and experiences of nurses, midwives and support workers during the early years of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Working alongside The National HIV Story Trust, this project includes oral histories and video recordings, to ensure that the experiences of nurses during the 1980s are preserved and archived for the benefit of others. This event is in partnership with the RCN History of Nursing Forum and HIVstory, an innovative and exciting outreach project imagined by The National HIV Story Trust. 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. 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.
Image: Historical Nursing Journals, 1985.
This event is in-person and open to all. For more information about what to expect when attending an event, take a look at this guide.
If you have any questions or accessibility needs, please contact us on rcn.library@rcn.org.uk or 0345 337 3368.
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For any queries about this event please contact
RCN Library and Museum
rcn.library@rcn.org.uk
0345 337 3368
20 Cavendish Square
Marylebone
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W1G ORN
20 Cavendish Square is located behind John Lewis, Oxford Street.
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Page last updated - 19/11/2025
