In Season 2's final episode Stephen and James speak with Ben Bamber, Ben is a peer navigator with the George House Trust and a trained Counsellor.
Ben has been living with HIV positve for over 10 years and he shares with us his story of diagnosis and how it is living with HIV today.
We cover in this episode such as:
- Ben's experience being diagnosed with HIV
- The reaction from the wider public
Ben shares his story honestly and openly, in the hopes of educating and informing people who may have misinformed ideas of living with HIV in 2024.
For more information on the George House Trust and their work and support they offer vsiit their website below:
Are the Gays OK?
Welcome to the “Are the Gays OK?” podcast, a show about mental health in the LGBTQIA+ community. Hosted by James Wilkinson and Stephen Griffiths.
We are 2 gay men wanting to honestly share our experiences in the hopes of destigmatising the world of mental health. We won’t shy away from difficult topics. we hope being vulnerable and sharing honestly we can contribute positively to the conversation surrounding mental health in the LGBTQIA+ community.
Stephen Griffiths, Is a gay man, based in Manchester, with lived experience of addiction and recovery from substance abuse.
It was Stephens' own personal struggles with, growing up as an LGTBQIA+ person in the world and his subsequent battles with addiction that led to him becoming a therapist.
He has a keen interest in mental health and runs a private counselling practice offering counselling to primarily LGBT people and those suffering with addictions both behavioural and substance based.
www.swgcounselling.co.uk
James has lived in Manchester for 15 years and works in Digital Marketing.
He has a passion for DJing (DJ Dry Clarity), Video editing and all things media. Having volunteered at Gaydio in 2019/2020 presenting the exchange.
He has lived experience with mental health and is 3 and a half years sober.