Speakers for Schools

Research suggests that HIV positive speakers are a powerful educational intervention for influencing attitudes, knowledge and behaviour among pupils. Research supports the value of HIV positive speakers in terms of combating myths and misconceptions and reducing prejudice and stigma, towards positive people.

Positive Speakers support all three main elements of the Sex and Relationship Education curriculum:

• Attitudes and Values
• Personal and Social Skills
• Knowledge and Understanding

The Positive Speakers’ Programme promotes pupils’ understanding of HIV transmission, safer sex and the reality of people’s experiences of living with HIV. It also helps to break down barriers between communities and promote understanding and acceptance.

Feedback from pupils

"Their stories were very interesting. When you hear people with HIV telling their stories, you can understand it more"

"The session was very educational; it made me see it differently. I learnt that it doesn’t change a lot of your life and more facts about the North West. Because of today’s session I have learnt not to judge a book by its cover and be extra careful with sex and blood contact."

"I think it was very informative. I didn’t have any prior understanding but felt I picked up quite a bit in a short time. I learned that there are a lot of myths about AIDS."