Manchester’s Beacon of Hope is the UK's first permanent HIV memorial.
Situated in Sackville Gardens, overlooking Manchester's world famous Canal Street, it was conceived in 1997 as a response to HIV and erected in 2000 and stands as a memorial to everyone lost to HIV and as a symbol of solidarity with everyone living with HIV today. The Beacon of Hope was designed by Warren Chapman and Jess Bryne-Daniels.
Structurally, the Beacon has three rounded triangular plinths leading up to it, representing youth, maturity and older age. The plinths, like stepping stones, connect the Beacon to the Tree of Life, a thriving Chinese Ginkgo tree, replacing the original tree planted on World AIDS Day 1993. Meanwhile, the Beacon itself is a spiralling stainless steel column rising from a mosaic plinth. The internal illumination of the Beacon references the candlelit vigils held, over many years, to remember people around the world lost to HIV.
The mosaic tiles, in various colours and shades, at the base of the beacon reference not only people from the many different communities affected by HIV but also the panels of the AIDS Memorial Quilts made by partners, families and friends to remember loved ones. Timeline plaques marking significant events relating to HIV in each year since 1981 are displayed around the central body of the Beacon.
During 2021 and 2022, community organisations worked together to refurbish the Beacon of Hope. This work included the repainting of the railings around the Beacon, re-gilding of lettering on the plinth, replacement of missing and broken mosaic tiles and repairs to the internal lighting inside the Beacon itself. The restoration project included George House Trust, Friends of Sackville Gardens, Manchester City Council, LGBT Foundation, The Eagle Bar Manchester and Manchester Pride and was supported by other venues from across the Gay Village as well as George House Trust Patron Carl Austin-Behan OBE DL and Ambassador, Nick Curtis.
"The passion, energy and commitment of everyone who’s been involved in restoring the Beacon of Hope brings home to me exactly why it is needed. It’s about remembrance, history and hope for the future" Darren Knight, Chief Executive, George House Trust
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Stay informed of our exciting events
With support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we are proud to present a series of events throughout 2025 celebrating Greater Manchester’s rich histories of HIV activism.
From panel discussions to a display of archived materials, all to celebrate the achievements of those involved in the HIV response and remember those we have lost.
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An archive is never complete, and many stories of HIV activism survive with you.
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