HIV Conversations @the MediCinema

Date

Wednesday 7th March, 2018

Time

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Location

Chelsea & Westminster Hospital
369 Fulham Road
London

Details

HIV Conversations is a new initiative at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, where each month, a different speaker explores different aspects of living with HIV, such as diagnosis, fighting stigma, love, dating and sex. Staged in the hospital’s state-of-the-art MediCinema, which the public are invited to attend. The HIV Conversations take place on first Wednesday of each month.

Rich Watkins

Richard is a professional actor and singer. He was diagnosed HIV positive in July 2016.
As an actor, Richard has performed across the UK, Europe and Australia. He is trained in musical theatre, has performed as a singer and cabaret artist in London and abroad, and has West End and prime-time television credits to his name.

Since his diagnosis, Richard has been actively involved in prevention campaigns and in supporting newly diagnosed groups. After quickly embracing his HIV status, he began volunteering in both his clinic and within HIV charities. He now works as a Health Promotion Officer for Terrence Higgins Trust and as Patient Representative for Bloomsbury Clinic.

Richard strongly believes in the importance engaging with those newly diagnosed. His recent diagnosis provides him with insight into the experience of those who get a positive result today, in a climate of constant medical advances and with the recent game changer of Undetectable Viral Loads. As such, Richard willingly and openly shares his story with newly diagnosed patients at his clinic, to provide community and support. He finds the power of communication and the sharing of stories to be of great value in creating a strong and supportive community for those living with HIV. Richard has also been involved in clinical trials and actively participates in discussions surrounding the medical side of HIV.

Richard appeared in a BBC Documentary “The Monkey Lab” in which he discussed living with HIV (nothing to do with monkeys whatsoever!) He will also appear in an upcoming short film about the lives of people within the HIV community.

Sound recordings of the previous conversations are archived online.

The colourful MediCinema is on the 3rd floor (Lift Bank C) and has capacity for 40 seats, 6 wheelchairs and 4 beds, which as well as providing conference facilities, enables patients to enjoy time away from wards.