In 2020, during the global coronavirus pandemic, Sustainable Merton came together with
the Loving Earth Project to connect the local community and create a permanent and
creative record of the experiences and thoughts of Merton residents during this unique
and unprecedented time in our history.
We know that the pandemic affected people in different ways. As well as suffering, sorrow, fear and loneliness, it’s also been a time for people to reflect on how we relate to the
environment and how we could do things differently in the future. To capture these
reflections, people of all abilities were asked to create a textile panel and to share their personal story behind it.
The Loving Earth: A Legacy of Lockdown project has not only provided people with a
creative outlet and wellbeing activity during a period of isolation and low social contact, it
also illustrates and tells the story of the depth of feeling that local people have about the
environment and how connected they are to Merton.
From 28th June - 9th July 2021, the panels were exhibited at Centre Court Shopping
Centre, Wimbledon, for everyone to enjoy as a lasting memory of resident’s experiences
during 2020 and 2021. A selection of panels will also form part of the Loving Earth Project’s
international travelling exhibition, exploring how climate change will affect places, things and people that we love and what we can do about it.
We hope to return the panels to Merton as a permanent Legacy of Lockdown art collection.
“I never once felt it a chore to make this textile panel and it has given me a feeling of calm and most importantly linking with others in the community with our Zoom chats. Also through our conversations, I am thinking more about ways for us all to get back to the garden.”
- Shirley Ford
“When we were in lockdown I enjoyed discovering all the creatures around me and in my
garden. Sometimes I dig for worms and I have learnt how important all the creatures are so I
wanted to put them on my panel.”
- Viola, 5yrs
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Give today for the future of our planet
As a small charity with big ambitions, Sustainable Merton relies on generous one-off and monthly donations from our valued supporters.
Your donation, no matter how big or small, will help us improve our environment, now and for future generations.
Make a one-off donation, give monthly, or fundraise for us through our Localgiving page.
By donating through Localgiving you can choose to add Gift Aid to your payment so that your donation can go 25% further to support your local environmental charity.
Please visit our Localgiving page to learn more about how your donation will make a difference and give today. Thank you!