Covid 19 – Day of Reflection

The COVID-19 Day of Reflection in the UK was first held in March 2021, initiated by the charity Marie Curie on March 23rd, the anniversary of the first lockdown, to remember those lost and support the bereaved.

The UK Commission on Covid Commemoration held an in-depth consultation with those most impacted by the pandemic and in September 2023 published its final report, recommending an annual UK-wide day of reflection, aligning it with the first Sunday in March where possible for subsequent years.

The Day of Reflection seeks to offer communities across the country the opportunity to join together in commemoration of those who lost their lives.

Upcoming and past events can be viewed on the Events and Places of Reflection - COVID-19 Day of Reflection webpage.

The next COVID-19 Day of Reflection will take place on Sunday 8 March 2026. A reflective service will be held at the Stoke Poges Memorial Garden on the Thursday 5 March 2026.

Buckinghamshire Archives is launching a new project to collect reflections from local residents and key workers about their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic and we’d love to hear from you.

The pandemic was a defining moment for our communities. Whether your story is one of challenge, resilience, loss, creativity, or unexpected joy, it forms part of the shared history that future generations will look back on to understand life in 21st‑century Buckinghamshire.

Buckinghamshire Archives proactively collects records that reflect the county’s diverse communities and have long-term historical value. As the only designated public record office in Buckinghamshire, we play a vital role in preserving the voices and experiences of people from every part of our community.

We are committed to ensuring that the Archives truly represent the breadth and diversity of Buckinghamshire today and that includes capturing the lived experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We’ve created a simple online submission form where you can share your reflections. You can write about anything that felt significant or meaningful to you during the pandemic, such as:

• Working on the frontline or supporting your community
• Navigating lockdown life
• New routines, challenges, or moments of connection
• Personal milestones or changes
• How the pandemic shaped your family, work, or outlook

Submissions can be short or long whatever feels right to you. Your contribution will help build a richer, more inclusive historical record for future researchers, families, and communities. Together, we can ensure that the experiences of Buckinghamshire’s residents and key workers are preserved for generations to come.

We will ensure these records are preserved and catalogued to the highest standards. Printed forms are available for completion should you prefer not to use the online form. Please contact the archives team or visit our libraries should you prefer to submit reflections to our archives in this way.

We will use your personal information because you, or your legal representative, have given us your consent (which you can withdraw at any time). By giving us your consent you are agreeing to Buckinghamshire Archives processing your information in accordance with this privacy notice and taking ownership of the information and granting us copyright permissions.

Please use the online form should you wish to share your reflections.