Preston residents are being asked to share their experiences of life in lockdown so that future generations can understand the personal impact of Covid-19.

Lancashire County Council’s Archives Services, based in Bow Lane, has already received over 90 submissions for its new Covid-19 archive, but is keen to include experiences from as many people as possible.

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Entries can include artwork, sketches, stories, poems, sound recordings, short video recordings or photographs about how life has changed during the pandemic. 

The service is also continuing to collect other material including:

• Posters and flyers from organisations who play an important role in keeping vulnerable people safe 
• Material from local business relating to closures or changes to how they operate 
• Advice from local organisations about hygiene, social distancing and self-isolation 
• Information about community efforts to help vulnerable and isolated people 
• Information from local schools showcasing how they were kept open for vulnerable children and those of key workers 
• The experiences of parents and carers who looked after their children at home 

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County Councillor Peter Buckley, Lancashire County Council’s cabinet member for community and cultural services, said: “As the coronavirus pandemic continues, we think that it is important to carry on creating a lasting memory of this very challenging time, and we are reminding people that they can still share their stories with us. 

“We have had an incredible response so far, and I would like to thank everyone for this. The response has been from all age groups, and this is really pleasing. 

“People have been so creative during these difficult times, and I think that it is important to record this social history for future generations. 

“I’d like to encourage people to continue sharing their daily diary, or their feelings and thoughts expressed about a single day or event in prose or a poem. Residents can also share a recording, video or photograph about what life has been like at home, work or where they live in lockdown. 

“It is entirely up to people themselves what they submit. What matters is that we make sure that we obtain a contemporary record of first-hand experiences of the impact on people’s lives. It is really important that we keep a record to ensure future generations will be able to learn about and understand this extraordinary period in our time. 

“Everyone can now take a look at what we have received so far, and add their contribution to this, if they want to.”

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To view the collection so far, visit Lancashire’s Covid-19 Archive.

Contributions are welcomed from everyone, including children and young people. They can be submitted by emailing archives@lancashire.gov.uk or by hard copy including your name, age and the place where you live (not your full address) to Lancashire Archives, Bow Lane, Preston, PR1 2RE.

If you have digital files too large to send via email, contact the service at archives@lancashire.gov.uk

For more information visit LCC Archives, telephone 01772 533039 or email record.office@lancashire.gov.uk.

Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines

Will you be submitting anything for the collection? Let us know in the comments.