Hartlepool Borough Council wants to know your experiences during the coronavirus crisis – here is how you can get involved

The project, titled Let The Story Be Told, will be one all about reflection, understanding, learning and moving record – with the aim of creating a permanent record of how the people of Hartlepool faced the pandemic together.

People are invited to make contributions so they can be used in galleries and blogs, as well as physical exhibitions over the coming months.

The council is looking for various ways for the public to get involved, which include:

Sharing one song, book, poem, photograph, picture or drawing which represents how they have felt through lockdown; The memories that they will keep for their experience; What they have learnt and what they now hope for; Videos capturing their lives at home, work, or while volunteering and supporting others during the crisis; Examples of new hobbies that were undertaken during the lockdown.

Councillor Shane Moore, leader of the council, said: “Coronavirus is a threat like nothing we have faced in modern times and has opened a dramatic new chapter in our world history.

“We have seen the loss of loved ones, empty streets, businesses closed, anxiety, vulnerability and isolation, but we have also seen great love, kindness, courage, community spirit, creativity and even humour.

“As always, the people of Hartlepool came together to face the threat and look after each other.

“Let The Story Be Told aims to record and tell that story and preserve it for future generations, so I hope as many people as possible of all ages will contribute to it.

“It will help us all to reflect and to empathise and, I hope, to build our recovery and move forward together towards a brighter future.”

The project will formally be launched during a virtual event on Thursday, July 23, at 9.30am. It will be streamed live on www.hartlepool.gov.uk/let-the-story-be-told.

If you wish to contribute to the project, you can do so by social media at www.facebook.com/hartlepoolcouncil, @HpoolCouncil on Twitter, by email to [email protected] or WhatsApp by messaging 07980 785301.

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