Podcaster helping to reduce stigma around HIV people

A WOMAN from Henley has been shortlisted for a national podcast award.

Jessica Harding co-hosts the HIV Podcast, which aims to tackle the “myths and conceptions” around the virus.

The podcast, created by the Thames Valley Positive Support Group in 2022, has been nominated in the wellbeing category of the British Podcast Awards.

This is Jessica and co-host Sarah Macadam’s fourth national award nomination in less than a year after the podcast reached the final in two categories of the 2023 Independent Podcast Awards and was nominated for an Audio and Radio Industry Award.

Jessica, who lives with her husband Ben and three rescue dogs, has been deputy chief executive of the support group in Taplow for almost 16 years. The charity supports people affected by HIV. Jessica, who is also the show’s producer and editor, said: “When we found out we had been nominated, we were absolutely thrilled.

“This started as an idea for our service users. We have worked in supporting people affected by HIV for 40 years between us.

“There is always a shocking stigma around HIV. We are trying to dispel myths. We wanted a way that people could hear how the condition can be normal. It does not have to be taboo all the time.

“We have moved so far forward but the stigma is still really bad. We want more people HIV-educated.

“We are the only podcast of its kind and we go out weekly.

“It is not what people think it’s going to be — it is not shocking and scary. It is me and Sarah having a chat and having some fun with it. We try to make it something people will want to listen to every week.”

Each podcast looks at a person or historical event linked to HIV, the law, taboo topics and pop culture moments. The show has been downloaded in 179 countries.

Jessica said: “In the beginning, my mum was our main listener but the show has just grown and grown.

“The support we get is lovely because we have people in some countries who do not have HIV support services. To have these people listen from all different walks of life is wonderful.

“To feel connected to other people and feel like you are not the only person with the condition is so important. It helps people feel accepted.

“We recently did a topic on the show ab0ut couples where one person in the relationship is HIV positive and the other is negative. People can feel so isolated and alone and this connects them.

“This award is amazing and it’s for all of the people listening who feel marginalised.” The HIV Podcast team also includes Zoe Coates, from Slough, who does the research and sound support.

Jessica said: “It is just the three of us and we all work full-time at the charity as well.

“When we started this we used to sit on the floor of our office. The reason for our success is that we listened to the feedback we were getting from our listeners.”

Thames Valley Positive Support provides emotional and practical support to people living with or affected by HIV and campaigns to increase the level of testing to avoid late diagnosis.

The show is up against the likes of Gabby Logan’s podcast The Mid Point and Richard and Izzy Hammond’s podcast Who We Are Now on men’s mental health and
masculinity.

The winners will be announced at an awards show in London on Thursday, September 26.