PLANS to create a Covid memorial in honour of those in East Renfrewshire who have lost their life to the virus have been unveiled.

East Renfrewshire Culture and Leisure (ERCL) is joining forces with the Greenspace Scotland charity to commission an artist to collaboratively create the poignant memorial for the local area.

It is part of the Remember Together project, which will see creative practitioners work alongside communities to produce collective acts of reflection, remembrance, hope and healing.

The appointed artist for East Renfrewshire's memorial will work with local people to explore how the pandemic has affected them, reflect on their experiences and honour those who have lost their lives to coronavirus.

Latest figures show Covid has claimed 262 lives in East Renfrewshire since the pandemic began two years ago.

Funding for the local memorial is being provided by the Scottish Government.

Ideas could include gardens and physical structures, as well as work that is digital or can exist in many locations.

Moira McFadden, of ERCL, told the Barrhead News: "We are looking for an artist to support, shape and mould a community-led piece that encapsulates the experiences of all residents.

"The memorial will provide a lasting legacy and opportunity to reflect on this period of time for residents in East Renfrewshire.

"Working in partnership with Greenspace Scotland, we want to find an artist or creative practitioner to work in co-creating or participatory practice in any art form, including dance, theatre, visual art, craft, film, live art, literature, poetry, music and more, with our communities.

"This artist/practitioner will have an interest and experience working with individuals and communities, with the emphasis on a co-creation approach, along with experience of working collaboratively with diverse communities."

Expressions of interest in phase one of the programme should be submitted by Thursday, April 7, after which ideas will be developed with communities.

Kim Simpson, of Greenspace Scotland, said: "Remembering Together will create space to reflect and remember all that we have experienced during the Covid pandemic, while reconnecting within our communities and inspiring hope and healing.

"While the memorials themselves will be important, the process of co-creating them, together, with those who have been most affected by the pandemic feels deeply meaningful.

"We look forward to supporting the many ways that memorial making emerges in communities."

For more information about the project, visit www.rememberingtogether.scot.

Further details on the requirements for expressions of interest can be found at www.rememberingtogether.scot/artist-commission-callouts.

Anyone who would like to express their interest in submitting an idea for the memorial should send an email to artsandheritage@ercultureandleisure.org.