The borough-wide COVID-19 Reflections project is a chance for communities and individuals to record their stories for future generations.

Artists are working with residents to creatively document the impact of the pandemic on everyday life and are reaching out to farmers and rural communities in particular.

“Everyone has their own stories of the ways COVID-19 has affected them and how life changed when the virus first became a threat to lives and livelihoods,” said Cllr Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, which is leading the project.

“The rural community was one of those particularly hard-hit but also had an enormous part to play.

“Our farmers helped to feed families locally and nationally and the borough’s countryside became essential to health and wellbeing. Existing issues of social isolation were amplified but I know there are some incredible stories of rural communities rallying round to support each other.

“The COVID-19 Reflections project is an opportunity to make sure your experiences during this dreadful time are recorded for future generations to understand what life was like during the pandemic.”

The Council has commissioned a number of artists to work with community groups across the borough, with photographer Tadhg Devlin hoping to work with the rural community as part of his work to capture stories from under-represented voices. Residents who wish to remain anonymous can still take part.

The projects will be showcased next spring. At the end of the programme a permanent record of the Reflections project will be held by Cheshire Archives.

For more information about Tadhg’s work visit: www.tadhgdevlin.com.

To get involved in the project email: [email protected].