#StayingConnected in lockdown

Staying Connected in lockdown

From posting emergency care packages to running virtual music sessions, organisations across Kent are finding ways to deliver services during lockdown.

Keeping people connected is one of the key priorities of the Government’s £750m coronavirus fund. And it seems arts and culture groups are leading the way.

We’ve listed some inspiring Kent examples below:

Dover Smart Project have sent out creative care packages to young carers and older people and are encouraging letter writing. The results include the amazing NHS lego above.

Arts Education Exchange tutors and young people will release a new track each week for project Send a Sound and have teamed up with local artists to create downloadable illustration activity packs #creativelockdown.

Music Man Project Kent hold virtual music sessions, gathering together in the ‘Zoom Room.’

Maidstone Museum post downloadable craft activities each week for children to do at home and share a mix of historical info and craft ideas during #TakeoverTuesdays on social media #MuseumFromHome.

And museum staff in isolation have recreated treasures from their collection in this fantastic artwork below.

Arts venue The Horsebridge have a slogan “connection in isolation” with a gallery of virtual exhibitions, a weekly  Virtual Makers Club and a Creative Challenge such as sharing the view from your window.

People United continue their work with My Happy Memory project sharing stories about #KindCanterbury.

And across Kent our libraries are doing Storytime Fridays and Story and Rhyme sessions online. Check out the reading of Wonky Donkey below.

To find out more about what libraries are doing visit Libraries Connected and Arts Council England. 

https://www.facebook.com/KentLibrariesArchives/videos/1239001296491346/

The Battle Of Britain Memorial use facebook live for virtual experiences,  have children’s colouring sheets and plan to take their Memorial Day celebrations online.

Swale Film Society have ventured online with a Lockdown Movie Quiz hosting the event on zoom and promoting it on twitter and facebook.

Meanwhile Cohesion Plus, who usually focus on music, art, dance and festivals, have decided to deliver their mission of community integration through a phone a friend project. They also created a video for St George’s Day.

We know there are lots more examples, so please feel free to share them with us on social media and we will add them to this list.

Future posts will look at what other sectors in Kent are doing remotely during lockdown – and ways people are fundraising online.