Brighton-based Martin Fisher Foundation has launched a new HIV-related animation called AIDS is over, if you want it.

This explainer animation can be used for free in educational programmes, on information screens, as part of social media messaging, across healthcare services and on public information websites. Martin Fisher Foundation is asking everyone to spread it through their professional and personal networks.

The video aims to update people’s knowledge around HIV and to increase testing coverage. By helping to improve understanding and decrease fear, this can help tackle HIV-related stigma and discrimination.

Furthermore, by driving improvements in the quality of HIV prevention responses, this project aims to increase motivation and momentum as we approach the metaphorical finishing line of ending new HIV transmissions.

AIDS is over, if you want it is on YouTube and is just 2 minutes, 39 seconds long.

The animation is based on the findings of focus groups coordinated by us. Creative Connection Animation Studios and HIV specialists used the findings to develop the script and animation. The narration is by Nathaniel J Hall, an actor, playwright and HIV activist from Manchester who starred in Channel 4's It's a Sin.

To learn how you can join in and help share the animation, visit Martin Fisher Foundation's website, or follow Martin Fisher Foundation on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. The hashtag for this project is #endingnewHIVinfections.

The HIV explainer animation was funded by a Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) Community Grants Programme 2021/22.

Dr Gillian Dean, Consultant HIV Physician and Trustee of the Martin Fisher Foundation, said: 'Creating this animation was one of the most enjoyable and inspiring projects I have ever worked on. The powerful material we gathered from focus groups with the public and people living with HIV provided the basis for the script. These days we rarely use terms such as "AIDS", but there was a strong feeling in the groups this would be how the wider community was most likely to engage with the film'.

Dann Caswell from Creative Connections Animation Studios said: 'Working on this animation opened our eyes to the needless prejudice that results from people being poorly educated about the modern realities of HIV, as well as the incredible advances that mean there is now a really positive outlook for the future, especially if we all do our part! This project is about spreading some really great news and it’s been a privilege to be involved.'

Dr Duncan Churchill, Consultant HIV Physician, said: 'Amazingly, we already have the tools to stop all new HIV infections if we want to – all we need to do is to ensure that everyone who might be at risk of HIV (everyone who has ever had sex!) has an HIV test, everyone diagnosed with HIV is promptly started on effective treatment, and meanwhile everyone at higher risk of HIV is started on PrEP – that would do it.'

Our Brighton Centre Manager Marc Tweed said: 'This summer marks 40 years since the death of our namesake Terry Higgins. He was the first-named person in the UK to be lost to the HIV epidemic. Everything we do is in his name, including shouting about the progress we’ve made in the fight against HIV since. We take every opportunity to shout about the life-changing message that today, someone living with HIV and on effective treatment can’t pass it on.

'This progress would have been unimaginable 40 years ago. If everyone knew this simple and powerful message, we could end HIV stigma and halt transmissions altogether. That’s why we’re delighted to be working on this project alongside Martin Fisher Foundation to bring people’s awareness of HIV up-to-date with the medical advancements.'