COVID-19 MEMORIAL
On Friday 7th November 2025, bereaved families from across Stoke-on-Trent joined Stoke-on-Trent Central MP Gareth Snell to progress plans for a Covid-19 memorial in Stoke-on-Trent.
During the emotive session, members of the group, who have all lost a friend or family member to Covid-19, shared stories of their loved ones and of their numerous and valuable contributions during the pandemic.
Unanimous agreement was given that any memorial should include the names of individuals who lost their lives and should also include a digital element telling the stories behind each name and the people that they have left behind.
Members were also in agreement that the memorial should be in a location that is accessible by all, with good public transport links and somewhere that families can take a stroll in the fresh air and stop for refreshments.
Discussions continue to take place between Gareth Snell MP, Lynn Jones MBE, a volunteer for the Wall project in London, and key stakeholders with the initial focus of the project on finding a suitable location and securing funding.
Gareth Snell MP said “It was a privilege to be joined by so many families who are passionate about securing a memorial for Stoke-on-Trent. The discussion was deeply emotive but provided valuable clarity about the type of memorial we should aim to create.
“Following the meeting, I wrote to Baroness Twycross, Minister for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, reiterating the appetite to create a Stoke-on-Trent Covid-19 memorial and asking for Government support to fund it.”
The group are calling for more families to join the campaign to ensure that the memorial is representative of as many of the more than 1,000 people thought to have died from Covid-19 from 2020 onwards.
Gareth continued “We are urging anybody who lost a friend or loved one to get in touch to let us know their story and help to shape Stoke-on-Trent’s memorial.”
Anybody who wishes to get in touch can do so by visiting https://garethsnell.org.uk/covid-memorial/ and filling out their details. Alternatively, you can get in touch by phone using 01782 971949 or by email at Gareth.snell.mp@parliament.uk.