These stories – which we have left in the presenters’ own words – resist stereotypes. They show the power of lived expertise to dismantle entrenched systems, reshape service delivery, and defend the rights of people too often pushed to the margins.

In our second Tackling Stigma Champion Interview, we speak with Louise Hansford, a UK-based advocate for people who use drugs and those living with hepatitis C. Louise explains why mandatory training, real stories from peers, and compassionate practice are part of the solution.

When we think of healthcare, we think of clinicians. But there’s another kind of work happening—quiet, constant, and often overlooked. Here, we unpack the emotional and practical labour patients carry, especially those from stigmatised and marginalised communities.