People gathered at Sheffield’s Covid Memorial to remember those who died during the pandemic – as part of the first annual day of reflection.
The event at Balm Green Gardens was introduced by Sheffield City Council Leader Tom Hunt, followed by speeches from people affected by loss due to the Covid pandemic.
There was also a workshop where people were invited to decorate leaves with messages and attach them to the memorial tree, facilitated by independent Sheffield business Woodland Wellbeing.
Councillor Hunt said: “Covid and the pandemic held up a mirror to society. It exposed where people were isolated and vulnerable, it exposed the cracks in our social and economic systems that allowed some people to fall through and it exposed the inequalities.
“But it also showed us the bonds of friends, of kinship, of community and of mutual aid. We saw that in the food parcels that people were delivering to people who were isolating.”
Coun Hunt added: “We saw that in neighbours looking out of each other and we saw that in the service and dedication of key workers who kept on working through the pandemic to look after us all.
“So at the same time as we were pulled further apart and isolated we were also brought together, we got through it together because of the collective efforts of families, communities, neighbourhoods and organisations across the city, and so today is right that we come together here in Sheffield and across the UK to reflect, to remember, to share stories and to listen.”
Others who were present included people who spoke in the Sheffield-based documentary Stories from the Pandemic and city’s Lord Mayor.
A spokesperson for Woodland Wellbeing, referring to the leaf-making workshop, said: “We are using ferns and dyes from plants to reflect how the nation found their local green spaces and being in nature a necessity to their mental health and from that the value of nature connection to our human selves has been felt and seen.”
The Steel City Snapper, a photographer who regularly shares his journeys around Sheffield on Instagram and X, captured the event with his camera.
The Covid Memorial sculpture, a stainless steel willow tree, was designed by George King, founder of George King Architects.
Mr King said: “The permanent memorial is a place where anyone can come and reflect. The pandemic was difficult for us all but we know that some people and communities were disproportionately affected by Covid. We re-iterate our commitment to making sure their voices and stories are remembered and to reducing inequalities in our city.”
The UK Health Security Agency reported that between March 2020 and December 2022 there were over 177,180 deaths connected to Covid-19.
Some messages attached to the tree included “Sitting in the front garden getting to know my neighbours” and “Cherished memories of our brave + precious mum”.
The leaves were taken down from the statue after the event and added to the existing Covid materials held by the city.
