**Gareth Thomas Champions HIV Awareness Through Garden Design at Chelsea Flower Show 2025**
Rugby icon Gareth Thomas is once again using his platform to advocate for HIV awareness, this time bringing the conversation to new audiences at the renowned RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025. Thomas, the driving force behind the Tackle HIV campaign, has teamed up with designer Manoj Malde to create a thought-provoking garden which seeks to challenge persistent misconceptions and prejudices associated with HIV.
The Tackle HIV Challenging Stigma Garden, which is on display at the esteemed horticultural event from 20 to 24 May, draws on artistic landscaping to spark vital conversations about HIV and the lived experiences of those affected. After first attending the flower show two years previously and admitting he felt “uncomfortable” due to his HIV status, Thomas now hopes his presence and the new garden will help bridge the knowledge gap for visitors who may seldom encounter open discussion about the virus.
Reflecting on his journey both personally and as a campaigner, Thomas explained, “When I initially attended Chelsea, I felt like I was stepping into unfamiliar territory. Many of those present might have only encountered HIV information decades ago, making it crucial to bring updated perspectives and stories to this audience.” He highlighted the importance of stepping outside one’s comfort zone to confront stigma head-on and emphasised how the garden celebrates scientific and medical advances that have transformed the lives of people living with HIV.
Each element of the Challenging Stigma Garden has been painstakingly designed to weave the narrative of HIV progress into its very structure. Hexagonal paving stones echo the molecular patterns found in modern antiretroviral drugs, while an inscribed bench bearing the statement “Undetectable = Untransmittable” underscores a key scientific triumph: effective treatment means those living with HIV cannot pass the virus to others. These features serve as powerful educational tools for visitors, demystifying the condition and conveying how lives have been changed by decades of medical progress.
Audrey Abernathy, Vice President and Head of External Affairs and Communications at ViiV Healthcare, which partners with the Tackle HIV campaign, stressed the dual priorities of medicine and social understanding. “While medical innovation is crucial, tackling stigma is equally important if we want to bring an end to the HIV epidemic. Reaching new and unexpected audiences—like garden show attendees—forms a vital part of our efforts to change perceptions,” she commented.
The garden’s creation was a significant undertaking, entrusted to JJH Landscapes under the watchful eye of Manoj Malde. Lead landscaper Justin Himpson described the experience as both emotional and rewarding. “Designing for Chelsea is already a high point in any landscaper’s career. But being part of a project with such a strong social message makes it extraordinary. Every aspect, from concept to completion, has carried real meaning for us and, I hope, for everyone who visits.”
Tackle HIV, initiated by Thomas in collaboration with ViiV Healthcare and the Terrence Higgins Trust, aims to tackle ongoing stigma and misunderstanding around HIV in the UK and beyond. The campaign leverages high-profile moments, like the Chelsea Flower Show, to reach parts of the public who may not otherwise engage with HIV education, fostering empathy and awareness.
The Chelsea Flower Show, renowned for its celebration of horticultural excellence, provides a novel platform for HIV advocacy. Through creative storytelling in the Challenging Stigma Garden, Thomas and his partners are encouraging visitors to re-examine long-held beliefs, and reconsider what it means to live with HIV today.
Further information on the Tackle HIV campaign, including the garden’s full vision and ongoing events, can be found at tacklehiv.org/chelsea. The campaign also encourages the public to follow @tacklehiv on social media and to participate in ongoing conversations about erasing stigma and embracing understanding.
As public attitudes toward HIV continue to evolve, initiatives like this garden are helping to ensure progress is celebrated—not only in science and medicine but in the hearts and minds of everyday people. With the spotlight firmly on Chelsea, Gareth Thomas’s message is clear: it is time to cultivate empathy, educate new audiences, and root out stigma once and for all.