This November, the Bloomsbury Blood Borne Viruses (BBV) Peer Support Team and the Bloomsbury Network are supporting a series of special events celebrating the history, significance and legacy of the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt.
Through exhibitions, discussions and creative workshops, these events offer an opportunity to remember those lost to HIV and AIDS, reflect on the experiences of those affected and recognise the importance of community, activism and remembrance.
The UK AIDS Memorial Quilt commemorates more than 600 people who lost their lives to HIV and AIDS in the UK. Inspired by the international AIDS Memorial Quilt movement established in San Francisco in 1987, the UK project was introduced by Scottish activist Alastair Hume as a way for friends, families and communities to honour their loved ones.
Today, the Quilt remains a powerful reminder of the lives behind the statistics and the importance of ensuring their stories are never forgotten.
UK AIDS Memorial Quilt exhibition
From Wednesday 18 November 2026 | Bloomsbury Clinic
From 18 November, Bloomsbury Clinic will host a special six-month exhibition featuring five panels from the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt collection, giving visitors the opportunity to see these moving tributes up close.
Alongside the exhibition, staff, service users and their families will be invited to contribute to two new quilts. One will celebrate Bloomsbury's contribution to HIV research in the UK while commemorating those cared for and lost. The second will recognise the clinic's contribution to Hepatitis B research and remember those lost to HBV.
The exhibition offers a meaningful opportunity for the Bloomsbury community to come together, share memories and contribute to a lasting tribute.
The history of the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt – special forum
Wednesday 18 November 2026 | 6:00pm–7:30pm
Duncan Catterall Seminar Room, Mortimer Market Centre | Hybrid event
To mark the opening of the exhibition, the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt Partnership will join us for a special forum exploring the history and significance of the Quilt and the wider movement it represents.
The evening will look at how the AIDS Memorial Quilt began, its role in remembrance and activism, and how communities have used creativity and collective action to challenge stigma, honour loved ones and ensure their experiences are recognised.
This will be an opportunity to learn more about an important part of HIV history, reflect on the progress made and consider why remembrance remains so relevant today.
You can attend in person or join online. Everyone is welcome.
World AIDS Day panel discussion: The importance of remembrance
Wednesday 25 November 2026 | 6:00pm–7:30pm
Duncan Catterall Seminar Room, Mortimer Market Centre
Ahead of World AIDS Day, we will be hosting a special panel discussion exploring the importance of remembrance, memory, history and community.
We are pleased to welcome Dr Patrick French, Consultant Physician, Ash Kotak from AIDS Memory UK, and Fernando Monteiro, Senior Peer Support Worker, who will share their perspectives on the importance of remembering those lost to HIV and AIDS, preserving their stories and recognising the experiences that have shaped today's HIV community.
The discussion will also provide an opportunity to reflect on how remembrance can bring people together, challenge stigma and help future generations understand the history of HIV and AIDS.
Whether you have a personal connection to this history or simply want to learn more, we warmly encourage you to join us for this important conversation.
Looking ahead: Quilt making workshops
From Thursday 14 January 2027 | 6:00pm–7:30pm
Duncan Catterall Seminar Room, Mortimer Market Centre
The programme will continue into the new year with a series of quilt making workshops, offering members of the community an opportunity to take part in creating meaningful tributes.
These workshops will provide a space for creativity, reflection and connection, allowing participants to contribute to the ongoing story of the Quilt and help preserve memories for future generations.
Join us in remembering
The UK AIDS Memorial Quilt is much more than a collection of fabric panels. Each piece represents a person, a story and a life that mattered. Together, they form a powerful record of love, loss, resilience and community.
We hope you will join the Bloomsbury BBV Peer Support Team and the Bloomsbury Network for these special events, whether to learn, remember, share your experiences or simply be part of the conversation.
For further information or to register your interest, please contact:
Email: cnwl.bbvpeersupportteam@nhs.net
Telephone: 020 3317 5177
We look forward to welcoming you.