Health initiative for male sex workers led by UWE Bristol researcher wins prestigious award

A co-produced digital health initiative led by a UWE Bristol academic designed to improve access to HIV prevention, sexual health information and wellbeing support for male sex workers has been recognised with a prestigious award.

The Hey Bruce initiative – led by Dr Jane Meyrick – has been named a joint winner in the 2026 British Medical Association (BMA) Foundation MEDFASH Prize for improving the quality of HIV and/or sexual healthcare.

The project combines a trauma-informed AI chatbot, Bruce, with a dedicated website hosting evidence-based resources, peer-led content and signposting to sexual health and support services. Developed through a partnership between men with lived experience of sex work, UWE Bristol health psychologist Dr Meyrick, health clinical specialist Dr Kevin Turner (from Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust and an associate lecturer at UWE Bristol), and human-computer interaction researcher Dr Matt Tatwood (from Northumbria University), Hey Bruce offers a safe, anonymous, and non-judgemental space where users can access trustworthy information tailored to their circumstances.

The platform covers HIV prevention, STI testing, vaccination, emotional wellbeing, workplace safety and harm reduction, while promoting dignity, autonomy and informed decision-making.

By combining innovation in digital healthcare with meaningful community involvement, Hey Bruce helps address longstanding inequalities in sexual health provision and strengthens connections between underserved communities and healthcare services.

The platform was made possible through a grant and funded through the Gilead Sciences Ltd UK and Ireland Medical Fellowship Programme.

Dr Meyrick, from UWE Bristol’s School of Social Sciences, said: “BMA recognition of Hey Bruce celebrates an authentic co-produced project that brings psychology, lived experience and digital innovation together to deliver real help for a vulnerable community too often overlooked by mainstream provision.”

Dr Turner added: “Hey Bruce grew directly from my Health Psychology Doctoral research talking with male sex workers about the barriers they face in accessing health and wellbeing support. The prize recognises the value of listening carefully, working in partnership and building something people can use on their own terms.”

The MEDFASH Prize recognises achievement in improving equitable access to high-quality, evidence-based HIV and sexual healthcare through evidence-driven, partnership-based work and involvement of affected communities. Hey Bruce shared the 2026 prize with PrEP Bundled Pathways, an 18-month pilot funded by the Elton John AIDS Foundation aiming to expand access to HIV pre exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among underserved communities using a place based model.

It is the second time a team led by Dr Meyrick has received MEDFASH Prize recognition. The first was in 2023 for co-produced sexual healthcare for young survivors of sexual violence.