A hospital trust and a council are urging the public to create a memory leaf which describes their experience of the pandemic as part of a new initiative.

A "quilted memory tree wall-hanging" is being put together by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and Tunbridge Wells Hospital, as part of the "Lasting Impressions" project.

The idea is for the memory tree to share the community’s reflections, memories and experiences of living through the Covid-19 pandemic in the past two years.

It will first be displayed at The Amelia Scott centre when it opens this spring in Tunbridge Wells, before taking up permanent residence at Tunbridge Wells Hospital.

Director of Emergency Planning and Communications at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, John Weeks, said: “Amelia Scott was a social reformer who focused her work on the needs of young, working-class women and mothers and was instrumental in transforming the old workhouse into the Pembury Hospital, including working at the hospital site during the influenza pandemic in 1919.

“It’s a fitting tribute that we are working with The Amelia Scott project and are keeping history alive with this memory tree.

“It recognises the amazing work that has been carried out across the borough during the Covid-19 pandemic that has, in turn, also supported the hard-working staff and volunteers at Tunbridge Wells Hospital.”

Councillor Andy Fairweather (Con), cabinet member for communities and well-being, said: “The pandemic has impacted on so many of us in so many different ways.

“This lasting memory tree will give us a chance to reflect. I do encourage everyone to create a leaf for the tree.”

The team behind “the Lasting Impressions” project ask that leaves are submitted by March 6.

Full instructions on how you can create your own memory leaf can be found here, and all finished leaves can be sent to the Town Hall in Tunbridge Wells.

They can also be dropped off at various locations around the borough, with the locations they can be left at shown on the website.