As we reflect on 12 months of life-changing regulations to try and stop the spread of COVID-19, a range of Bristol organisations will mark the occasion by releasing a new short film reflecting on the losses in our communities and the community spirit that helped us get through these difficult times.

The film will be released at an online launch event on Thursday 18 March on the We Are Bristol website, run by Bristol City Council (it will also be shared on the Bristol City Council YouTube channel). Frontline workers, faith and community leaders, musicians, and the Bristol City Poet will all attend, and this citywide event is open to everyone.

How to get involved in Bristol Remembers

Visit the We Are Bristol website at 6pm on Thursday 18 March to see the short film launch event. If you cannot attend the launch, catch up on the website or the Bristol City Council YouTube channel afterwards.

Alongside the film, there will be an online book of testimonials from local people reflecting on how the pandemic has affected them, and anything or anyone they have lost during the year. You can share your own testimonial (150-200 words, with an image included if possible) by emailing it to wearebristol@bristol.gov.uk, with the subject line ‘Bristol Remembers – Testimonial’.

Join in on social media, using the hashtags #WeAreBristol and #BristolRemembers. To help those who are visually impaired and may use screen readers, please use a capital letter for each word in the hashtag (as we have done here), so it is easier to understand.

How the community responded to COVID-19

Thank you to everyone in the city who has worked so hard to stop the spread of coronavirus by following national and local guidance – for example, social distancing, washing your hands, staying home as much as possible, and wearing a face covering. Bristol’s key workers have made sure our essential services stay open during this time to serve everyone who needs them.

Thank you also to the brilliant community organisers who have helped keep us safe and connected during the pandemic. They range from community hubs and anchors to mutual aid groups and voluntary organisations. At Voscur, we’re proud to have helped coordinate the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector’s response to COVID-19 in the city, and linked to other sectors.

If you’re part of a mutual aid group or voluntary organisation that would like more support to carry on your work and grow beyond the pandemic, you can fill out our support form to make contact with the Voscur development team.