The Coalfields Regeneration Trust (CRT) has been working with former mining communities across Scotland to capture their stories and produce films about life during lockdown.

So far, 13 films have been produced as part of the ‘Films of Action’ project showcasing the resilience of coalfields communities in adapting to the coronavirus pandemic and the resilience of people living in these areas.

Before the pandemic, CRT had planned a film project with coalfields villages in the west of Fife to explore the heritage of these communities and let individuals share their personal experiences.

Films were to be screened in a collaboration with the Edinburgh-based Folk Film Gathering in May this year.

Following lockdown, the team decided to reach out to coalfields communities across the country to highlight how they were managing during this time of adversity.

It provided an opportunity for people to tell their stories and share their common experiences on responding to COVID-19.

Cumnock Chronicle: Nancy Fitzpatrick at Loganlea Miners Social and Charitable Society, another coalfields community featured in the project.Nancy Fitzpatrick at Loganlea Miners Social and Charitable Society, another coalfields community featured in the project.

Nicky Wilson, CRT Chair in Scotland, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic brought with it an opportunity to shine a spotlight on coalfields communities and demonstrate how resilient they are, and how they are able to find solutions to their own challenges and quickly self-organise to support residents who are vulnerable or in need.

“As discussions on the film project advanced, it became clear that there were many different perspectives of COVID-19 that could be documented.

“We were hearing from people who organised, developed and delivered services at short notice for their communities, as well as individuals on the receiving end of those services.”

Caron Hughes, Development Manager, said: “I am passionate about giving coalfields communities the opportunity to create a different narrative about life there to change perspectives.

“Coalfields communities have much to celebrate. However they very rarely get the opportunity to showcase such qualities as their resilience, creativity, determination, strong sense of identity, rich heritage and culture and stunning natural environments.

“I believe that this ‘pilot’ project has demonstrated the ability that such an initiative has to empower people and give them a voice to tell their stories and, in doing so, show a wider audience a different side to our amazing coalfields communities”.

The films can be viewed on CRT’s YouTube channel and will be screened in local communities once coronavirus restrictions are finally lifted.