Londoners' Stories of Finding Connection During COVID-19
Hear from 4 organisations who harnessed technology to create connections during COVID-19, tackling isolation and representing communities’ diverse experiences
By Mayor of London
Co-curated by Katrina Man (Independent Curator) and the London Community Story grantees
JOS Illustration by Maria Tashkinova (2021) by Joy of SoundMayor of London
Introduction
In 2020, soon after London went into its first lockdown, communities, arts and cultural, and heritage organisations began projects to start to gather people’s experiences of the pandemic.
Collections of films, poems, photographs, diaries, and much more were created, focusing on lived experience and generating a wealth of collections that could be tapped into by those responding to the crisis.
Whilst collecting projects were occurring, policy and decision makers were researching the impact of COVID on London’s diverse communities. The Mayor's London Community Story programme aimed to connect policy makers to the communities generating these creative responses to COVID.
Zoom Illustration by Maria Tashkinova (2021) by Joy of SoundMayor of London
London's Recovery: Digital Access for All
The pandemic highlighted how important digital access is to allow us to communicate with others, access services and information and work and study remotely and safely. However, many Londoners still lack digital connectivity and this digital divide worsened during the pandemic.
Those without internet were left isolated and disconnected as Londoners stayed home to save lives. As London recovers from the pandemic, the Mayor is on a mission to ensure that every Londoner has good and reliable internet access and basic digital skills by 2025.
1) Joy of Sound
Disabled and older Londoners were supported by Joy of Sound to be creative and stay connected during COVID. Their work shows how essential digital connectivity is for disabled and older people, especially those in residential homes, to feel connected and overcome isolation.
JOS Illustration by Maria Tashkinova (2021) by Joy of SoundMayor of London
Joy of Sound
Joy of Sound (JOS) runs participatory music and combined arts projects for marginalised communities. This includes older people, individuals with profound and multiple learning disability (PMLD), learning disabled (LD) and children with special educational needs (SEN).
Zoom Illustration by Maria Tashkinova (2021) by Joy of SoundMayor of London
Covid-19 Stories, Created by JOS Participants
Participants co-created these stories during participatory creative sessions on Zoom. They share the many personal and social health and wellbeing benefits that an inclusive society can bring.
Illustrations by Maria Tashkinova.
Digital Access Stories from Two Residental Homes During COVID-19 Times (2021) by Joy of SoundMayor of London
Digital Access Stories: Two Residential Homes During COVID
This infographic depicts the ongoing real-life challenges and barriers to gaining adequate online access experienced by participants living in different residential homes.
Graphic design by Darko Predanic.
Inside I'm Free - Film Excerpt (2021) by Joy of SoundMayor of London
'Inside I’m Free' Film by JOS, Director/Editor Vesna Marich
In this film participants show how they found freedom through music and dance when stuck at home.
"For me to be part of this film is an incredible part of my life story” (Jenny Fone, pictured)
Choreography by Ekaterina Peskova
Filmed by JOS friends & family
View film here.
2) Fotosynthesis & Learning Unlimited: 'Picture This!'(2020)
Many people now own camera phones and smartphones. Fotosynthesis and Learning Unlimited were able to harness the technology that participants had in their pockets, encouraging them to take photos of themselves and their surroundings for the 'Picture This!' project.
Through their photographs and creative writing projects, participants could learn English whilst connecting with one another as well as with themselves.
Alphabet from 'Picture This!' (2021) by Fotosynthesis and Learning UnlimitedMayor of London
Fotosynthesis and Learning Unlimited: 'Picture This!' (2020)
'Picture This!' was a participatory photography and English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) online project by Fotosynthesis and Learning Unlimited. Participants creatively improved language skills through the universal language and accessibility of digital photography.
Picture This! Video (Captioned) (2021) by Fotosynthesis and Learning UnlimitedMayor of London
'Picture This!' Video
A summary video of the ‘Picture This!' project where participants show the work they produced.
Self-portraits by Blanca and Sarah (2021) by Fotosynthesis and Learning UnlimitedMayor of London
'Picture This!': Self-Portraits
Participants combined photography and words as a form of storytelling to create these self-portraits, creating stories that represent who they are.
Self-portraits here by Blanca and Sarah.
The Door by Elena (2021) by Fotosynthesis and Learning UnlimitedMayor of London
'Picture This!': The Door by Elena
In this poem and photograph Elena compares her experiences of navigating London with a mask to when she first arrived here. It is one of many personal photography projects that participants developed. This was an opportunity for their voices to be heard on important issues.
Elena - Door (2021) by Fotosynthesis and Learning UnlimitedMayor of London
Download the free 'Picture This!' exhibition e-book and toolkit for practitioners here.
3) Lockdown Love Stories
Lockdown Love Stories provided a space on the internet dedicated to people's relationship stories during lockdown. Strangers were able to (often anonymously) connect over shared experiences of love, lust and loneliness.
The site, created by artist Philippa Found, helped to tackle feelings of isolation and shame.
The Heartbroken - A Lockdown Love Story (2021) by Lockdown Love StoriesMayor of London
'The Heartbroken': A Lockdown Love Story
This anonymous user shared how important the website had been in helping them heal after their own heartbreak. They offer advice to others and reflect on the sense of community that they felt when reading other Lockdown Love Stories.
Badass Feminist Love - A Lockdown Love Story (2021) by Lockdown Love StoriesMayor of London
'Badass Feminist Love': A Lockdown Love Story
In this piece a contributor reflects on how time alone has taught her to love herself and enjoy her own company in a way that she would not have been able to before.
Lockdown Love Stories - Website View (2021) by Lockdown Love StoriesMayor of London
Over 1,250 lockdown love stories have been submitted
“I just wanted to say thank you … for making this page. It took me a long time to submit my story but it was therapeutic and good for me. I’m sure it has been difficult for other people to share their stories but I think we have all helped each other.” (Alice Victoria)
Chalking - Lockdown Love Stories (2021) by Lockdown Love StoriesMayor of London
Chalking
Philippa used the method of chalking in parks to spread the word of the project and encourage submissions. She made the most of spaces that people could visit during the lockdown to make them aware of the online community she had created.
4) Phosphoros Theatre
Actors and creatives from Phosphoros Theatre were able to create work safely at home and to document their lived experiences of the pandemic.
Phosphoros Theatre work with refugees and asylum seekers, platforming their voices through theatre, even when arts and entertainment spaces had to close.
But Everything Has an Ending by Phosphoros Theatre - Title Page (2021) by Phosphoros TheatreMayor of London
Phosphoros Theatre: 'But Everything Has An Ending'
Phosphoros Theatre develop socially-engaged performances. Their work holds space for those with forced migration backgrounds to voice, reflect on and respond to their lived experience, taking charge of the narratives that seldom include their perspective.
But everything has an ending by Mohamed (2021) by Phosphoros TheatreMayor of London
'But Everything Has an Ending' - Mohamed Abdu Fahmi
Mohamed describes his room, his shelter, where he is in lockdown. New to the UK, he lives in shared accommodation with limited internet. He worries about the staff who look after him and reminisces about Sudan. He stays hopeful.
But everything has an ending by Tewodros (2021) by Phosphoros TheatreMayor of London
'But Everything Has an Ending' - Tewodros Aregawe
Tewodros describes how he is helping his friends who need help with food and accommodation due to job losses and loss of income during COVID-19. The government will not help someone who has no papers and food banks are closed.
Who Are Phosphoros Threatre? - Creative Resource Pack (2021) by Phosphoros TheatreMayor of London
Phosphoros Theatre: Creative Resource Pack
Phosphoros Theatre produced a creative resource pack to support other groups or individuals to explore the messages and ideas presented by their actors in the virtual plays. This includes creative activities to make your own work and experiment.
View all plays here.
