2 – Supporting the NHS

A Digital Community Exhibition – July 2020

Together with the rest of the UK, Wycombe Museum went into lockdown on 23 March due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Museum staff worked from home to begin with, then most were furloughed. Keeping in touch with our volunteers, one of them suggested we do an exhibition of local experiences of lockdown. This became possible with funding from Arts Council England, and we appealed for photos of lockdown through social media.

The images we received divided into sections, reflecting the main themes of lockdown:

1 – Staying Home

2 – Supporting the NHS

3 – Making and Growing

4 – Connecting Remotely

5 – Once a Day Outdoors

6 – Coming Together Safely

7 – Lifting Lockdown

Section 2 – Supporting the NHS

Staying at home protected the NHS from being overwhelmed as well as protecting individuals. The photographs in this section show some of the other ways in which people supported the NHS.

By Tony Green, taken in High Wycombe "For a couple of Thursday evenings the Wycombe Arts Centre was illuminated to recognise and thank the NHS workers. The old church made a stunning backdrop and message board."

By Tony Green, taken in Totteridge "Just inside the Totteridge Common entrance of Kingswood is this tree. It has been decorated with slogans and symbols thanking the NHS workers. The items on the tree have been added to as the weeks have gone by."

By Heather Green, taken High Wycombe "Although face masks were optional during lockdown some were produced and sold locally by members of the community and the proceeds donated to One Can Trust, a local foodbank."

By Gen Watkins, taken in Downley "I have been making crochet rainbows with a percentage of the proceeds going to various charities including Covid-19 urgent care supplies and CHECT (Childhood Eye Cancer Trust). The rainbows can be hung in windows and are a sign of unity and hope and have become a way of showing our appreciation to the NHS and frontline workers during the Covid-19 pandemic. Many people order them and send them to their loved ones they cannot be with and they have proved extremely popular."

By Gen Watkins, taken in Downley "During lockdown I have been busy making these for the NHS and frontline workers. They are used in conjunction with face masks to hook the elastic to preventing ear burn and chafing. In total to date over 3000 have gone out to hospitals across the country as well as care homes, doctors' surgeries and private clinics. They are free of charge and I have thoroughly enjoyed making them."

By Elly Crawley, taken in High Wycombe "My mummy works in the NHS. She is working hard and I'm proud. "

By Elly Crawley, taken High Wycombe "As an assistant midwife this is my new norm since lockdown. We've had no time off."