Lockdown Upload is for anyone who's inspired by the world we're living in right now – whether they’re just starting out in their craft at home, or have had gigs or performances cancelled.
Anything that coveys how people are feeling during the pandemic can simply be uploaded to bbc.co.uk/upload, from comedy sketches, short stories or poems, to blogs, vlogs, podcasts, reviews and diary pieces.
Uploads that catch the eye of local BBC radio teams will be broadcast live on air or published on their news and social media feeds. What’s more, some of the work will also be selected to go into a special archive at the British Library to give future generations a glimpse into what it was like living through this period.
The initiative was developed by Jess Rudkin who is the editor at BBC Radio Bristol. She said: "Upload is always the front door to the BBC for content from new creators. And right now, many people are turning to creativity to express how they feel, to feel connected with other people, and to process the challenges of the world we're living in. Whether your work is funny, or poignant or quirky, Lockdown Upload is a chance not only to share it, but to feel part of a nationwide community doing the same."
Head of Audio and Digital for BBC England, Chris Burns, said: "This is an incredible opportunity for creators from right across England and the Channel Islands, to have their work included as part of such an important archive with the British Library. This archive will be rich with real and colourful voices, all coming together to help future generations understand what it felt like to live through Covid-19."
In collaboration with Paper Nations, Lockdown Upload is also working with libraries, community groups and writers' networks right across the country to encourage new writers from all backgrounds to take part.
What is Lockdown Upload?
Upload is your chance to showcase your creativity on the BBC. Right now, you can help to connect and entertain the millions of us who are staying at home by joining our Lockdown Upload campaign.
- Lockdown Upload can be anything that is directly inspired by life as we currently know it. You could be creating something now simply because the lockdown has given you time and space to get started or you might just want to bring some light to people in these strange times. Everything is welcome.
- Upload any kind of content: audio, video, text and images. We especially love video and audio, so writers: if you can record yourself reading your work, that would be brilliant. (If the thought of that fills you with complete dread, you can upload the text).
- We’ll watch, read or listen to everything you upload and what catches our attention will go on air or on our digital platforms.
- Whether it’s your first creation or you’ve been quietly making stuff for years, upload it.
- Don’t worry if you’re not quite sure where it would ‘fit’, that’s our job to sort out. And it doesn’t need to be slick: we’re all about content made at home. We’ll get back to you if we’d like to showcase our work, and we might even help you add some extra polish.
- Please upload to your local station.