Play your part in Sunderland's history by putting your lockdown memories on tape

Campaigners want to make sure future generations know all about ‘these extraordinary times’ and how people adapted to a world under lockdown.

The online project called Sunderland Voices Captured has been launched by Living History North East, the regional oral history centre.

It urges people to record their thoughts about the pandemic – through written stories, or audio and video recordings and photos – and then upload them to a website.

Managing director Janette Hilton said: “Sunderland has experienced difficult and emotional times due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but as a city we are coming out of this crisis stronger, as our local communities have work together to make a difference.

“We hope this online platform will help to capture these extraordinary times of living under a worldwide pandemic within our city.”

The Sunderland Voices Captured website can be found here.

Janette added: “The site will provide an opportunity to reflect on how we are as individuals, as communities and as a city are managing these unprecedented times and how we continue to manage an every changing landscape for families, work, community engagement, schools, universities.

"No one is unaffected by these restrictions, adjustments and adaptions to our everyday lives.”

Janette explained why the project was so important. “As the year draws towards Christmas, we will no doubt reflect on an unrivalled year in our history, not to mention the world.

"We hope that people of the city will share their stories, experiences, photographs and videos that will become a ongoing archive for now and future generations.

“We will also offer an opportunity for those who would like to record their experiences to get in touch. But also for those who want to record the experience of others – we will offer some training and support to do this.

“Everyone in our communities either at work or at home has been affected in some way by COVID-19.”

Janette added: “This new website is a space where you can remember, reflect and share your experiences. Whether you have lost a loved one and want a space to share their lives and the impact they had on the world or a neighbour who has gone above and beyond to help you during this period.”

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