Bristol hosts Fast-Track Cities UK and Ireland HIV conference
- 4th February 2025
Fast-Track Cities Bristol Chair, Jo Copping, opening Fast-Track Cities UK and Ireland conference 2025
Bristol was the host city for the annual Fast-Track Cities UK & Ireland conference on 31 January.
Fast-Track Cities is a global initiative which aims to end the HIV epidemic by 2030.
Bristol Health Partners’ Sexual Health Improvement team (SHIP HIT) is a leading member of Fast-Track Cities Bristol, which is working to end new HIV infections, stop preventable HIV deaths and address HIV discrimination and stigma in the region.
More than 150 delegates- including academics, sexual health and public health specialists, service users and people living with HIV – attended. Delegates commented on the positive and collaborative atmosphere, in which everyone’s contributions were valued equally.
Delegates were welcomed by SHIP HIT co-director and Fast-Track Cities Bristol Chair, Joanna Copping.
Professor Kevin Fenton, Regional Director, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities and Department of Health and Social Care, delivered a keynote reflection which asked: ‘What bold steps do we take as Fast-Track Cities to achieve the 2030 goals?’
A variety of knowledge café sessions aimed to examine some of the current challenges facing Fast-Track Cities and sharing best practice. These included:
- What does Zero and beyond look like?
- Understanding and addressing stigma
- Improving PReP
- Increasing HIV testing
- How do we link cities, towns and country?
- Stakeholder management: Engaging and relationship building with local politicians and decision makers
- Improving quality of life for people living with HIV
- Increasing children’s and young people’s knowledge and understanding.
What delegates said
“It was inspiring to attend the Fast-Track Cities UK & Ireland Unconference and connect with others Fast Track City teams all committed to ending the new cases of HIV, stigma and discrimination. The collaboration, innovation, and shared determination at this conference reaffirmed that together, we can create real change and achieve our goal of healthier, more inclusive communities.”
– Jeremy Horwood, University of Bristol and co-director of SHIP HIT
“At this time of reduced resources, getting together with others safeguarding the goals of HIV Fast Track Cities gave me renewed energy and the chance to come up with new ideas about how to do the work.”
– Jane Meyrick, University of the West of England and member of SHIP HIT
“It was incredible! It felt more like a think tank than a conference – a meeting of minds and a hive of creativity in the sector. A great day.”
– Aisha Monic Namurach, initial Project Coordinator of the Common Ambition Bristol programme
“The format of this event helped draw on the wisdom and experience of everyone attending. It was energising, and we all left with bold ambitions about how to reach our joint goals of eliminating HIV being passed on, while ensuring sustained, person-centred care and social justice for everyone living with HIV for decades to come.”
– Catherine Dodds, University of Bristol
“There’s such a lot being done to help make people safer and healthier – from increasing HIV testing to making it easier to access PreP which stops you passing on the virus – so it’s a really exciting time to be involved.”
– Rachel Allbless, Joint COO and Senior Project Manager, Bristol Health Partners
