Mayflower 400 Southampton

Giving Thanks

Giving Thanks was our campaign to create digital memories that bring the people of Southampton together in a shared celebration of our city and our communities. During the difficulties of 2020, it was more important than ever to celebrate and share the important things that make a difference to our lives every day, however small.

Supported by the Barker-Mill Foundation, the Giving Thanks campaign ran between Thanksgiving, November 2020 and Valentine’s, February 2021. Over 300 people of all ages joined in through social media channels -posting films, photos, poems as well as through taking part in online interviews. Participants were encouraged to take part through a range of online resources. You can still can create your own #MyGivingThanks moment by visiting these our resources page.

Thanks to funding from Arts Council England, artists Shared Space and Light produced a new digital artwork which pulledthe community-generated content together. This online work tells the story of our city and its people at a unique moment in time using motion graphics and 3D animation.

Shared Space and Light are artists who strongly believe in the power of video projection to bring people together. Collaboration is central to what they do, they have worked alongside a diverse range of communities as well as musicians, set designers and theatre companies. They said: “This project has been an exciting challenge, working together in difficult times and we hope we created a memorable celebration for Southampton. Thank you so much for all your contributions online and over Zoom!”

Community Groups Give Thanks

In January 2021, we teamed up with Our Version Media and Southampton Voluntary Services to provide training for several local community groups. The training enabled eight charitable and community groups to tell their stories through video for social media, highlighting the scope of the wonderful work they do in our communities. This has left a skill legacy as well as a set of heart-warming films which you can see below.

#MyGivingThanks by GO! Southampton and City Eye

As a way of thanking the local community, GO! Southampton and City Eye created stories from around Southampton which demonstrated how people came together to support one another during Covid-19.

Charity Nominations for Giving Thanks

We’re thrilled to announce the winners of our Southampton charity / community group prizes as part of #MyGivingThanks, in partnership with Southampton Voluntary Services

The groups were nominated by people who’ve experienced or benefited from the wonderful work they do. Each group will receive £150 as a big thank you.

The winner of the ‘most creative post’ is Communicare in Southampton They befriend and support isolated people across the city. Read the poem here.

Winners of the ‘most inspiring story of thanks’ are Rose Road Association They work with children and adults with complex and multiple disabilities and health needs and their families in Southampton. Read the story here.

‘Most reshared message’ winners are: SO:Lets Connect Digitally connecting people. SO:Let’s Connect aims to reduce isolation by increasing digital connectivity. Watch their video here. 

1st Runner Up – The G.E.Ms team at Kingsland Community Centre, a volunteer run organisation who supply the vulnerable & families with food parcels.

2nd runner up – The Basics Bank, Southampton City Mission who give out free food & clothes to those in need in Southampton.

“Thank you very much for making submissions possible in all their various forms, and for all your behind the scenes work in curating them all to bring together the mosaic for others to benefit so greatly.  It is truly appreciated.”

A huge #MyGivingThanks to everyone who took part!

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