Meet your Lockdown Legends
14 September 2020
RAMM is delighted to announce its Lockdown Legends exhibition, showcasing the stories of local people who have shown particular kindness, courage, humanity or ingenuity during the Covid-19 crisis.
We received a wide range of nominations for Lockdown Legends, from refuse collectors to face mask creators, fundraising heroes to taxi drivers-turned-delivery men, and many more. We heard of care workers who moved into care homes or sent their children away to protect their clients; people who entertained their neighbours, providing a smile and a distraction at a dark time; others who supported people with mental health issues or provided a lifeline through providing creative art and craft packs. All of them were truly inspiring, showing how our communities pulled together during the crisis.
Paul Mouland, Director of FreeMoovement
‘When the pandemic hit, I knew we were well positioned as a local fitness community group to respond in a community-focused way. Seeing our volunteers so keen to lend a hand in any capacity has been really inspirational.’
– Paul Mouland, Director of FreeMoovement Exeter and Lockdown Legend
The nominations were reviewed by a panel which consisted of: broadcaster and presenter Angela Rippon CBE, President of Exeter City Football Club, Julian Tagg, Exeter City Councillor Amal Ghusain, and RAMM Museum Manager Camilla Hampshire.
The stories will feature in an online exhibition and a physical exhibition hosted in several venues around Exeter and Devon. They will also be held for posterity in the Devon Heritage Centre.
Eva and Star Watson with some of mum Hayley’s creation kits
“I was overwhelmed when I found out I had been nominated. It made it feel like all the hard work had been recognised; that I had really helped people. It really was like the icing on the cake. I was a little bit nervous when people asked me for photos to submit, but really all the support from everyone has been amazing and has kept me going.”
– Hayley Watson, founder of Exmouth’s Isolation Community Project
Lockdown Legend Jakir Hussain
By celebrating the resilience of the people of Devon who have helped the most vulnerable in our society during a time of uncertainty and anxiety, Lockdown Legends reminds us of our shared humanity, and highlights the importance of community.
“Jakir Hussain lost his income as a self employed taxi driver once lockdown started. He volunteered every day helping prepare delicious curries, then putting his taxi to good use delivering food all over the city to people in need. I nominated him because he was there to support everyone in need, across the whole of Exeter, not just his community. He threw himself into his work and was there all day every day.”
– Cllr Trish Oliver, nominated Lockdown Legend Jakir
View all the Lockdown Legends online on Showcase HERE (button)
The exhibition can be visited at the following locations from Monday 28 September:
Monday 28 September – Friday 30 October:
Monday 28 September – Sunday 1 November:
Exeter Princesshay (window display)
Further dates and venues for November will be announced in the near future. Covid19 measures will be in place at all physical venues.
Lockdown Legends is kindly supported by Radio Exe and Archant, publishers of the Exmouth Journal, Midweek Herald, North Devon Gazette, Sidmouth Herald and the Torbay Weekly.
