The Salisbury Museum is launching its first oral history project: ‘COVID-19 Diaries for Salisbury’ in order to capture the impact that the coronavirus is having on the city and its residents.

The museum is approaching key workers (NHS staff, carers and teachers - to name but a few), asking them to keep a daily audio diary about their work during the coronavirus outbreak. The aim is that this will capture their immediate thoughts and observations about what is happening around them and provide a unique insight into this extraordinary time. The museum is also asking its staff and volunteers to collect artefacts and photographs about the pandemic to give another perspective to this important project.

It will be the personal stories and unique perspectives from key workers, residents and people living and working in and around Salisbury, that will provide the best record of the impact that coronavirus is having on our community.

“This is a difficult and strange time for us all. Many museums are looking at how they can document what is happening for future generations. By launching this audio diaries project, Salisbury Museum will keep a historical record of this time through the lived experiences of workers at the forefront.”

Bridget Telfer, Project Curator, Salisbury Museum

The museum is also launching a further project to record the COVID-19 pandemic, but this time aimed at young people. ‘What Do You See’ asks young people (aged between 15 and 20) from Salisbury and south Wiltshire to take a daily photograph that sums up their experience of lockdown. We are keen that young people should have the opportunity to take part, as this is a perspective that is often missed in news reporting and in museum collections in general.

“We know, from our work with many young people, that their perspectives can always teach us something. We hope this little project can give young people a visual way to express how they feel, at a time when words sometimes fail us.”

Sarah Gregson, Community Curator, Salisbury Museum

For more information about how to take part in any of the above projects please email: museum@salisburymuseum.org.uk