The UK AIDS Memorial Quilt is a unique historical document that commemorates those we've lost to HIV and is one of the UK's largest community art projects. Inspired by the World AIDS Memorial Quilt which was started in 1985 by long-time San Francisco gay rights activist Cleve Jones, the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt is made up of 48 12 ft² panels, each comprising six to eight smaller panels and represents 384 people who passed away due to HIV-related illnesses. Every individual panel honours someone who died of HIV. Lives remembered by friends, lovers and family include those of the writer, Bruce Chatwin; the artist/film maker, Derek Jarman; the actor, Ian Charleson, and photographer Robert Mapplethorpe.
The Quilt is now cared for by the UK AIDS Quilt partnership comprising: George House Trust, Sahir House, Positive East, Terrence Higgins Trust, Positively UK, the food chain, and Waverley Care, and is regularly exhibited around the UK. However, less known, is that for years, the UK AIDS Quilt had no permanent home and was stored unceremoniously in a domestic garage. This unique piece of British social history was nearly lost when its former custodian’s house in Newcastle-upon-Tyne caught fire. After the house fire, the National AIDS Trust realised just how vulnerable the quilt was, and placed an advert in Positive Nation magazine asking for organisations to host the quilt on a long-term basis. George House Trust responded with an offer to take the North West panels, but when no-one else came forward, George House Trust took the quilt in its entirety and cared for it until the creation of the UK AIDS Quilt Partnership in 2014.
The Quilt is a powerful reminder of those we have as well as a reminder of the progress made in the treatment and care of people living with HIV.
You can find out more about the Quilt here: Home - UK AIDS Memorial Quilt
"'Without George House Trust, this vital piece of social history wouldn't be here today'" 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.
Please share your experiences of HIV and HIV activism in Greater Manchester with us. Or send us some feedback about the exhibition, the events, the archive, or the 40 Years of HIV Activism Project in general.
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