Sheffield’s Covid-19 memorial tribute plans are well underway with the launch of ‘Stories From The Pandemic’. Delivered by social enterprise Opus Independents in partnership with Sheffield City Council, Sheffield City Archives, and Compassionate Sheffield, the project aims to gather stories from the people of Sheffield to inform and strengthen the city’s memorial plans.
The project’s aim to create a lasting testimony from the city is supported by the partnership with Sheffield City Archives. Contributions from residents will be submitted to form a historic record, trying to capture the human experience of what it was like to live through a monumental moment in our global history.
Tim Feben from Sheffield-based social enterprise, Opus Independents, who are leading the city-wide project, said the project is looking for as many varied contributions as possible, so that the city’s memorial activity is “rooted in the experiences of its people and collectively owned.”
Councillor Terry Fox, Leader of Sheffield City Council, said: “The group has been mindful of the timing of any memorial activity given that the pandemic is still taking place. We’ve all been affected by this terrible pandemic so being a part of how it should be remembered in the future needs to feel right for individuals and communities.”
They are calling on Sheffield residents to submit their stories and experiences via a new website which went live this week: www.sheffieldstoriesfromthepandemic.com. Everybody’s experience is important and will help inform Sheffield’s story.
Postcards will also be distributed across the city, in various venues, for people to leave physical contributions which will later be developed into exhibitions across the city. They can be filled in and submitted at participating venues, or posted for submission. These postcards will also be made available to order for group sessions and discussions within communities across the city. A list of participating venues where postcards can be submitted in person will be published on the website.
For a sneak peek, head over to https://vimeo.com/691359219/e7451eb534 to see some of the early contributions that have already been featured in the project.
