Striving for Excellence & Equality in Healthcare for Black Communities
One Voice Network (OVN) aims to drive health equality and improve outcomes for black communities in the UK and particularly those affected by the HIV epidemic. The network provides clear vision and strategic leadership and a unique platform for black communities to play a more active role in HIV policy and practice.
Black people living with HIV continue to face distinct barriers to receiving adequate care. This is despite the advancements in HIV testing, treatment and care which have increased overall engagement. These barriers contribute to Black communities having lower levels of engagement in care, poorer health outcomes, and higher rates of HIV-related morbidity and mortality.
This report outlines the key challenges faced by Black people living with HIV in London when accessing primary care and explores opportunities for improving the quality of the care they receive. As HIV is a long term health condition, there needs to be a positive relationship between people living with HIV and all healthcare providers to support continued engagement with care. Through analysing responses from our survey completed by 142 Black-heritage respondents living with HIV in London, we identify what must change to ensure greater satisfaction with primary care and improved engagement with GP surgeries. The findings underline the need for culturally competent care, increased patient-provider trust, and further accessible resources to improve health literacy.
To end HIV health inequalities, health commissioners must include Black communities
A step-change is needed in local authority health commissioning to fully involve and support Black African and Caribbean communities in their HIV care, a joint report from National AIDS Trust and One Voice Network, says.
The new Unheard Voices report gives key recommendations for best practice in order to ensure meaningful engagement with Black communities living with and affected by HIV. It also demonstrates the effectiveness of co-production, where communities members are funded to make decisions on and contribute to the design of HIV services, while recommending further funding to fully realise these ambitions.
OUR MISSION
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To end new HIV transmissions and to stop late diagnosis among Black communities, especially among Black Africans and Black Caribbeans in the UK.
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To empower, support and amplify the voices of Black people affected by HIV in the UK to have healthy and fulfilled lives.
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To provide a mechanism for the voices and views of Black people to shape the health and care services that are intended for them.
OUR VALUES
Community-led
Our work and approach is led and informed by Black communities. Our people are at the heart of everything we do.
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Honest
We are transparent and accountable to our communities, our partners and our funders.
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Collaborative
We work to build partnerships across and beyond the sector because we know that to reach our goals, we can only do it together.
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Equitable
Our organisation is founded on the principle of equality and fairness and we will strive to operate according to these values at all times. All members shall have equal rights in the running of the Network and we shall always act in accordance with our constitution.
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Quality
We strive for quality in everything we do. We seek to be informed by the best available evidence and the lived experiences of our community members across the UK.
We persevere until we achieve the changes we wish to see.
LEADERSHIP TEAM
One Voice Network Co-Chair | Jide Macaulay
Reverend Jide Macaulay is a prominent figure and an openly gay British-Nigerian based in London. He is the Founder and CEO of House Of Rainbow CIC, a Christian minister since 1998, and an Anglican Priest. With an impressive educational background, Jide holds a degree in Law, a master's degree in Theology, and a post-graduate certificate in Pastoral Theology.
Jide's ministry is deeply rooted in the principles of inclusion and reconciliation, focusing on harmonising sexuality, spirituality, and human rights. His advocacy work extends to various organisations, where he has served as a Board of Trustee at Kaleidoscope Trust UK, and a Trustee for Global Interfaith Network. Presently, he holds the position of Chairperson for INERELA+ Europe, and is a Patron at ReportOut, Chair of One Voice Network, HIV-Mentor at Positive East, and George House Trust.
His dedication and efforts have earned him recognition, as he served as a Judge at the British LGBT Award in 2023, and received multiple nOSCARS Awards in 2014, 2017, and 2018. Reverend Jide Macaulay also contributes as a Volunteer Chaplain at Mildmay HIV Hospital and a Volunteer Champion at Afruca Children's Charity, further exemplifying his commitment to social causes and activism.
LEADERSHIP TEAM
One Voice Network Co-Chair | Christina Ganotakis
Christina Ganotakis is the Policy and Insights Manager at Naz, a sexual health and HIV charity based in London focused on improving the poor sexual health outcomes in Global Majority and marginalised communities. Christina’s work focuses on developing practical policy interventions to address health inequalities rooted in structural racism and discrimination. She leads Naz’s Zero HIV Stigma Day campaign, a global awareness movement dedicated to ending HIV stigma, and is the steering group coordinator of the Black Women’s Health Manifesto Collective.
Christina holds an MSc in Migration, Mobility and Development from SOAS University of London and a bachelor’s degree in Public Affairs and Policy Management specialising in International Studies from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada.
LEADERSHIP TEAM
One Voice Network Co-Chair | Rebecca Mbewe
Rebecca is a passionate advocate and activist for the rights of people living with HIV, with a strong focus on women’s sexual and reproductive health. Diagnosed with HIV in 1996, she spent years navigating the challenges of living with the virus while maintaining a professional career, before embracing advocacy more fully.
After leaving the corporate sector, Rebecca pursued a degree in Psychology and began volunteering with Positively UK. She later worked as a Peer Caseworker and became deeply involved in HIV-related work across various platforms. Her contributions include membership in the UK Community Advisory Board (UKCAB), participation in the British HIV Association (BHIVA) Audit Sub-standards Committee, and roles in numerous steering groups and panels, including the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on HIV.
Rebecca is co-director of the 4M Mentor Mothers Network CIC, supporting women living with HIV through pregnancy and motherhood. She also represents 4M Net in the One Voice Network, a collective of Black-led HIV organizations. Additionally, she is a long-standing member of the Joyful Noise Choir, using music as a form of healing and expression.
She co-led the GROWS project (Growing Older Wiser Stronger), aimed at empowering women over 40 living with HIV by training them as peer supporters. Her public speaking includes appearances at high-profile events like the launch of the London Fast Track Cities Initiative, where she shared a platform with Mayor Sadiq Khan and Professor Kevin Fenton.
Rebecca holds an MBA in Healthcare and currently works as a researcher with the SHARE Collaborative at Queen Mary University, contributing to qualitative HIV research. She is also a co-author of Our Stories Told By Us, a book amplifying the voices of women living with HIV.
Her ongoing work includes media engagement, mentoring, training, and public speaking. She remains committed to raising awareness and promoting early HIV testing, which she describes as the "silver lining" of her own diagnosis.