A new exhibition titled ‘Stories from the Pandemic’ has been brought together by the Arts in Health team at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals thanks to funding from Sheffield Hospitals Charity.

 

The exhibition is a gallery of moving images and words showing the impact that Covid 19 has had on our lives. The photograph below, featured in the exhibition, is of beloved dad and grandad Leonard Gibson, who was the first person in Sheffield to officially lose his life to Covid 19. 

Caption: Photograph of Leonard Gibson from the 'Stories from the Pandemic' exhibition

Other individuals featured in the gallery include NHS staff and volunteers, as well as Sheffield people with a range of different stories and experiences. Memories shared include the first wearing of PPE and visiting patients with COVID, children reflecting on the lack of exercise and new films to watch, and moments of hope and light found in difficult times when working at the Sheffield Arena mass vaccination centre. 

 

Victoria Gisborne-Land, Arts Coordinator, said of the new installation: “Installing the exhibition filled me with pride as I watched staff members and patients pause to absorb the stories. It's a topic that brings people together, regardless of their personal experiences.” 

Caption: Visitors discuss the 'Stories from the Pandemic' exhibition

‘Stories from the Pandemic’ began as a city wide project led by Opus in partnership with Compassionate Sheffield and Sheffield City Council and was first shown at Sheffield Museums.

Kirsten Major, Chief Executive at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, officially opened the gallery earlier this month. Speaking about the installation, she said:

It is so important to capture these stories. It’s great to see these images and words on the walls of the Northern General as a result of this brilliant project, and for the emotions and experiences of our staff, patients and the wider Sheffield community to be acknowledged in this way. Those involved have worked so hard to create this gallery, and they should be so pleased with the result.

Caption: Kirsten Major, Chief Executive at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, cuts the ribbon at the gallery's official opening earlier this month

The ‘Stories from the Pandemic’ exhibition can be viewed in the Vickers Link Corridor on D Floor of the Northern General Hospital. There is also a film available to watch as part of the same project, titled ‘A Lasting Testimony from Sheffield’, which has recently been released and is available to watch at sheffieldstoriesfromthepandemic.com 

Sheffield Hospitals Charity is proud to support ongoing Arts in Health projects, that mean so much to those working and receiving care at our hospitals, and are grateful for the donations from supporters that allow for the continuation of this support.