Beyond the Label: Confronting HIV Stigma
A peer-informed stigma-awareness training programme from REVOLUTION at Renaissance UK
For organisations ready to challenge HIV stigma and lead meaningful change
Are you committed to creating inclusive spaces where everyone feels safe, respected and valued?
Beyond the Label is an interactive training session designed to raise awareness of HIV-related stigma, explore its real-world impacts, and equip teams with the confidence and tools to challenge it effectively.
Developed as part of Renaissance UK’s REVOLUTION project, this session combines expert facilitation with the powerful, authentic voices of people living with HIV, whose stories are shared (with consent) to bring the topic to life. The training is ideal for professionals, teams, and services who want to better understand stigma and be part of the solution.
Why HIV stigma matters...
Despite huge advances in HIV prevention, treatment, and public understanding, stigma remains one of the biggest barriers to testing, diagnosis, care, and support. It leads to:
- Delayed testing and treatment.
- Poor mental health and isolation.
- Discrimination in healthcare, workplaces and services.
- A lack of open, informed conversations about HIV.
What the training includes
Understanding modern HIV Stigma
Explore how HIV stigma shows up today - from overt discrimination to subtle assumptions and unconscious bias. We examine how stigma has evolved, and why it still shapes attitudes, systems and lived experience.
Language &
Representation
Discover how everyday language, media portrayals, and workplace conversations influence perceptions of HIV. Learn how small shifts in wording can promote dignity, accuracy, and inclusion.
Myths &
Misconceptions
Challenge outdated beliefs about transmission, treatment and risk. We separate fact from fiction and build confidence in discussing HIV clearly and accurately.
Real Stories
Real Impact
Hear powerful stories from people living with HIV that reveal the emotional and social impact of stigma. These lived experiences bring depth, humanity, and perspective to the session.
Practical Tools
for Action
Gain realistic, achievable strategies for responding to stigma in professional and everyday settings. Leave with practical language, approaches and confidence to act.
Building Inclusive
Cluture
Move beyond awareness to meaningful change. Identify how policies, leadership, and workplace culture can actively reduce stigma and create safe environments.
Who the training is for...
This training is suitable for anyone who wants to be part of tackling stigma and improving inclusion – especially:
- Workplaces and corporate teams looking to strengthen their Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) strategy.
- Healthcare providers seeking to improve patient experience and reduce barriers to care.
- Public sector and local authority teams delivering frontline services.
- Charities, NGOs and community groups.
- Education settings, including colleges and youth organisations.
Meet the facilitator...
The training is delivered by Mike Downey, Renaissance UK’s Training and Awareness Lead. Mike is an experienced facilitator with a background in stigma reduction, health equity, and community engagement.
While Mike is not living with HIV, the training is deeply rooted in the real experiences of people who are. Their voices, stories, and insights are at the heart of the session - shared with care, consent, and a clear commitment to dignity and respect.
Format and Delivery
We offer flexible delivery options designed to suit your organisation’s structure, capacity, and goals – whether you’re planning a focused awareness session or a deeper development workshop.
Session Lengths
The full training package last 2 and a half hours, however we also offer bitesize sessions on request if time is limited.
Flexible Delivery
The training can be delivered both in-person and online through Microsoft Teams or Zoom to suit your needs.
Group Sizes
The training is suitable for both small intimate groups and larger organisation-wide staff events.
Interactivity
The training package uses interactive elements and group activities to encourage discussion between participants.
What you can expect...
Evidence-informed content
Real lived-experience narratives (shared with consent)
Interactive exercises and reflection
Practical, workplace-ready tools
Follow-up toolkit for participants
Frequently Asked Questions
Do we need any prior knowledge of HIV?
Not at all. The session is designed to be accessible for everyone, whether you’re completely new to the topic or already engaged with EDI or public health work.
Will the session include personal disclosures or live testimony?
The session includes carefully curated stories from people living with HIV, shared via video, audio, and written narrative — always with consent. It does not include live personal disclosures from the facilitator.
Can we run this as part of a wider inclusion strategy?
Absolutely. We’re happy to work with you to align the training with your EDI goals or integrate it into a broader programme.
Do participants receive any materials or follow-up?
Yes – all attendees receive a toolkit of resources, signposting links, and practical tips for challenging stigma after the session.
Any other questions?
Reach out to our team on our contact page and we’ll reply as soon as possible.
