This website section is a diary of work done on HIV rights, prevention, and against HIV-related stigma in the UK. It serves to keep track of contributions and reflect on the past and share ideas for collaborations in the future. It does not include work done in, or for, governments. If you have any questions or want to collaborate, please get in touch via email at: dralessandroceccarelli@gmail.com

Recent Achievements in HIV Advocacy

Over the past few years, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside incredible teams and partners to drive meaningful progress in HIV prevention, treatment, and awareness.

One of the highlights of my career has been contributing to the HIV Action Plan for Wales, where I played a key role in drafting, publishing, and supporting its implementation. This plan represents a collective effort to end new HIV transmissions in Wales by 2030, and I am proud to have been part of the journey to make it a reality.

I’ve also been fortunate to develop Wales HIV Testing Week, now in partnership with Public Health Wales (PHW). What began as a campaign I helped fund in 2021 has now grown into a key initiative that increases testing and awareness across diverse communities.

Similarly, the Stop HIV Stigma campaign, which I spearheaded in Wales with a dedicated group of advocates and stakeholders, aimed to tackle discrimination and create inclusive spaces in healthcare and beyond.

I’ve also been grateful for opportunities to contribute to research and policy development. Publications with the British HIV Association (BHIVA), and my involvement in the HIV Outcomes project and the Living Well with HIV in Wales report, have helped highlight issues like mental health, ageing, and reducing inequalities for people living with HIV.

Finally, in March 2023, I co-founded Fast Track Cymru as part of the ambitions under the HIV Action Plan for Wales. This initiative reflects a collective effort to accelerate progress towards ending HIV transmissions by uniting stakeholders across public health, clinical services, and community organisations.

In response to emerging health challenges, such as Mpox, HPV, HepA, HepB, I worked closely with public health teams and vaccination teams to ensure timely and coordinated responses.

As a Trustee of the National AIDS Trust (NAT), I’ve worked collaboratively to provide strategic leadership and ensure equitable access to services for people living with HIV.

None of this work would have been possible without the dedication and collaboration of so many inspiring colleagues and partners.

Past Projects

October 2020 to Present – Fast Track City Cardiff and Vale, Wales

• Member of the FTC&V Steering Committee.
• Volunteer work with the communication and stakeholders management team, and mapped FTC stakeholders.
• Projects included (e.g.) European Testing Week 2020, HIV Testing Week 2021, and HIV Data Visualisation in Wales.
• Contributed to the draft of the FTC + THT manifesto for the Senedd elections in 2021. This informed the FTC recommendations for a Welsh HIV Action Plan.
• APPG report on HIV testing. Contributed to providing comments for the APPG Testing Inquiry questions and outlined plan, especially on Areas 4, 5 and 6: Ideas For Implementation Going Forward; Engaging Under-represented Groups; The Future Online, Home and Community Testing. The HIV report was published on 21 July 2021.
• Contributed to present evidence for the HIV APPG reports on minority ethnic groups and HIV in Britain.
• Contributed to draft bids, applications and monitoring and evaluations for grants and funding, including the ViiV HIV Prevention Fund.
• Contributed to organising events for World AIDS Day, including an event at the Senedd Cymru with Hannah Blythyn MS and Eluned Morgan MS.
• Delivered a talk at Cardiff Central Library on “HIV in Cardiff and Vale – how can we stop new diagnoses by 2030?” in collaboration with Cardiff Council and Cardiff University.
• Organised and run an information stall at the Trans Aid Cymru “big lunch” event, delivering material on Trans and Non-binary sexual health and a 5-minute talk.
• Contributed to drafting and reviewing of the evaluation report of the GP-facilitated HIV home testing pilot in Cardiff City & South GP Cluster.
• Gave interviews for The Cardiffian and InterCardiff for Wales HIV Testing Week 2021 and WAD 2021.
• Member of Cardiff PrEP Research Working Group (University of Cardiff, Wales)
• Contributed to submitted funding applications and secured funding (ViiV) for establishing the Wales HIV Advocacy Network.
• Volunteered to co-run a stall at Pride Cymru Pride in Cardiff 2022, sharing material on HIV Action Plan for Wales consultation.
• FTC&V parade at Barry Pride with the banner “Fast Track Cymru – Fighting HIV Together“

Wales HIV Testing Week, Wales

• Design and implementation of the “Wales HIV Testing Week” campaign in November 2021, including graphics, messages, press-release, interviews, videos, comms and stakeholder engagement.

• Design and implementation of the “Wales HIV Testing Week” campaign in November 2022, including graphics, messages, press-release, interviews, videos, comms and stakeholder engagement.

British HIV Association (BHIVA), UK

• Submitted and presented a paper at the British HIV Association (BHIVA) titled: “Networking for HIV/AIDS prevention: impact of social media promotion on widening access and uptake of HIV testing”
• Awarded a “high commendation” and was selected as the finalist for the best poster and presentation (5 out of 127) at BHIVA conference: https://www.bhiva.org/AnnualConference2022ScholarshipsAwards
• Submitted a paper for the British HIV Association (BHIVA) titled: “Campaigning for HIV/AIDS prevention: a community-led approach to widen access and uptake of HIV testing.”

April 2022 to Present – PrEPster, UK

• Delivered a talk for “Building Equality” staff network on HIV Advocacy and “Ask me about PrEP“
• Delivered a short talk about “Ask me about PrEP” to Cardiff Lions Rugby team
• Delivered a short workshop about “Ask me about PrEP” at the Queer Emporium
• Joined the “Ask me about PrEP” advocacy programme

October 2022 – IAPAC and Fast Track Cities Global Conference (Seville 2022)

• Represented Fast Track Cardiff & Vale (Wales) at the international conference on HIV and AIDS. Discussed the national HIV testing campaign and the HIV Action Plan for Wales.

December 2019 – PrEP in Prison Campaign

• Campaigner for the #PrEPinPrisons campaign, calling upon MPs to take actions on sexual health inequalities of LGBT+ prisoners.

May 2019 – Nkosi’s Haven, an HIV/AIDS home in Johannesburg, South Africa

• Supported the organisation of a Fundraiser event at Magdalene College, Masters Garden, with Alison Green. The event was in support of Nkosi’s Haven, an HIV/AIDS home in Johannesburg, South Africa. Nkosi’s Haven supports mothers living with HIV, her children, and orphans. Raised c.R20,000, equal to c.£1,000.