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However, as time went on, young people emerged as one of the groups most affected by the social isolation of lockdowns. Many faced the challenges of not being able to see family and friends, disrupted education, and anxiety about their future chances of getting into college, university or the world of work.
The number of young people struggling with their mental health began to grow, with increasing reports of struggles with loneliness, trouble sleeping, and anxiety about leaving the house for fear of catching the virus or spreading it to vulnerable family members.
Supported by staff at St Andrew's Youth Club, artist Alix Smith worked with young people to explore their pandemic experiences. Colourful park benches installed at the National Remembrance Gardens featured illustrations by the participants themselves, exploring their own stories and their encounters with outdoor heritage throughout lockdown.
Established over 150 years ago, St Andrew’s is the world’s oldest community-based youth club. Located in Westminster, London, the club enriches young lives by providing a sense of belonging, offering fun and informal education to over 500 members each year.
The group of young people from St. Andrew’s Youth Club were aged 9-12, and started by making books and maps which explored their memories, thoughts and feelings about lockdown.
Grazyna Richmond, Head of Engagement at Westminster Abbey, led the group in a heritage walk around Westminster, learning about the history of their local area and discussing what life in lockdown was like for the community at the time.
The benches themselves are like visual ‘journals’, translating the young people’s memory book content into designs that use a variety of techniques, from drawing and painting to collage.
The group shared lockdown memories spanning from home-schooling and spending time with their families to the joys of eating more takeaways, alongside other very personal, individual experiences unique to themselves.
The project was an important opportunity for both the young people and artist Alix Smith to reflect on such a significant time in all of our lives.
Alix is an artist educator from North London. She has an MA in Artist Teaching and Contemporary Practices from Goldsmiths and has led visual art projects with schools, museums, galleries and community groups for over 20 years.
She enjoys working on collaborative projects with a range of audiences and creates graphic style installations inspired by street art, pattern making and collage.
