Colchester + Ipswich Museums launch Covid-19 collecting project ‘Your Stories’

Date issued: 29 April 2020

In just a few short months, Covid-19 has changed the landscape across the world and will continue to do so for the immediate future.

Colchester + Ipswich Museums are one of many museums, libraries and universities appealing to the public to help them understand what effect this pandemic is having on the general public and to record their findings for future generations.

We are all living through unprecedented times and with this brings a wealth of emotions, experiences and a shared collective – something this generation has never experienced before.

Colchester + Ipswich museums would therefore like to hear from you.

They are seeking volunteers from both Colchester and Ipswich to help them record and understand this pandemic. They are looking for people to record their experiences in a variety of ways. This could take the form of a diary, a scrapbook, through paintings and drawings, maybe song-writing or even creating a video journal.

Are you already recording your stories? If not, would you like to start? If so, the Museums team would love to hear from you.

They are looking for as many people to get involved as possible, to ensure the collecting project reflects society as it is now, in 2020. They are particularly looking for individuals that fit into categories listed below. Please note, this list is not exhaustive:

• Medical and care professionals
• Shopkeepers & supermarket workers
• Keyworkers
• Teachers, Lecturers, Nursery Workers and students
• People living with a disability
• Members of the LGBTQ+ community
• People experiencing homelessness
• Families
• People living in multigenerational households
• People living with mental health difficulties
• Refugees
• People from migrant communities
• People with long term health conditions
• People who have been furloughed

Head to https://cimuseums.org.uk/yourstories/ to get involved

Councillor Julie Young, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Performance and Deputy Leader of the Council, said: “If you would like to help, please get in touch with the team via the website. If you are stuck for things to do at home, head to cimuseums.org.uk/MuseumFromHome and discover plenty of activities to keep everyone, both big and small, entertained!”

Councillor Carole Jones, Museums portfolio-holder for Ipswich Borough Council, added: “We are doing everything we can to make our service as accessible as possible during the shutdown. Our team at the museums is offering a wide range of activities to keep the community engaged with what we have to offer.”

"Please, Stay Home, Protect the NHS and Save Lives together as a community.”