Artwork project celebrates the Covid-19 Unsung Heroes in Blackburn with Darwen

Council worker, Michelle Clayton, used her background in art to create a project that brings together artists and poets from across the borough to highlight those unsung heroes who have worked throughout the pandemic.

Michelle works as a cook at Highercroft Children Centre, providing meals for all vulnerable children and families throughout the pandemic. All the children centres have been able to support all families and Michelle has been there to support those that need it the most. She has provided a listening ear, meals for nursery children and created opportunities within her local community.

She first came up with the idea for her ‘Covid-19 Unsung Heroes’ artwork project after seeing the portraits of NHS staff showing the work they were doing and joined many around the nation in clapping for them. Michelle started to think about the bin men, the children centre assistants, early years staff and all the work many other key workers have been doing through the pandemic – and she asked herself what about them? Who’s clapping for them?

Michelle quickly realised she wanted to do more than just clap for all the workers who have kept Britain moving and protected through COVID.

She began painting and what started off as a single portrait of a local farmer soon turned into a collection of creative pieces that featured different people who have continued to go above and beyond to keep essential places like the children’s centre open during these difficult times.

When asked why she created the project, Michelle Clayton, said:

For me, I wanted to celebrate the local authority staff who have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic for the children and families. The children centre assistants, early years workers and reception staff have been in every day, meeting, greeting, cleaning for the children and staff.

The best thing about this project is that it shows how much people bring their roles and people that are able to go above and beyond and I think they need to be recognised for what they do.

Since completing her fine art degree 5 years ago, Michelle rarely had time for painting but this project allowed to get back into art again and create something inspiring in the process.

 My favourite pieces that I have done are the police men and the portrait of Malcolm, who works in the children’s centre, because I think I have brought their character out and shown who they are as people.

Local musicians, poets and painters, quickly got involved and came together to create the pieces showcased in the Unsung Heroes’ project.

The project is made up a variety of artwork made by Michelle Clayton alongside Jodi Dee Web, Anne Clayton, Jessica Green and poetry written by Lee Warring, Deborah Howard and Irene McConnell – Berry, a centre assistant at higher croft children’s centre.

Children’s centres have been open all the way through the pandemic to support families, the Centre assistants have been extremely important in ensuring all covid safety measures had been put in place to allow everyone to continue to do their jobs safely.

Michelle added:

This project is so special because it highlights the people that are so important within our community, like bin men, cleaners, the cooks, the family support workers, farmers getting the milk, truck drivers, everybody – and it reminds us that not all heroes wear capes and there just normal people doing their job every day.

They are the people who have continued to make the country go and support our most vulnerable children and families all the way through Covid-19, the ones that we’re not clapping about and the ones that aren’t on the news – they all deserve to be recognised.

If you’d like to learn more about the Covid-19 Unsung Heroes project or contribute your own piece of art or poetry, please contact Michelle Clayton via michelle.clayton@blackburn.gov.uk or Maria Nugent via maria.nugent@blackburn.gov.uk

Watch this short video showcasing a few of the art and poetry included in the project: