The Compact Coronavirus Time Capsule is version of the Coronavirus Time Capsule created specially for schools and youth groups who want to make a short, one-off version rather than commit to making a video every week. We have created it in partnership with the Anna Freud Centre for Children and Families.

The compact version is a set of 25 video-making challenges to help young people stay connected, build resilience and express themselves during lockdown. It can be used with any group of young people aged 11+ and it can be adapted for a wide range of different time-frames, subjects, ability levels and purposes.

The project is free. All we ask is that you sign up below so we know how many people are doing it and so we can offer updates and support.

After you have signed up, simply download the Blueprint, which contains all the resources you’ll need to get started.


The Coronavirus Time Capsule helps to build resilience, wellbeing and social capital. It gives voice to young people’s experience in a way that will inform and educate well beyond the limits of each group.
— Dr Roslyn Law, Consultant Clinical Psychologist The Anna Freud Centre for Children and Families
This project brings us together when otherwise we would be apart. At a time with so many unknowns it provides students with a safe space for their creativity.
— Marie Hood, Newent Community School and Sixth Form Centre

More information

What is the Coronavirus Time Capsule?

The Coronavirus Time Capsule is a response to the coronavirus pandemic by teenagers everywhere. Since March 2020, thousands of teenagers have been creating weekly videos documenting their lives in lockdown. More than 200 youth theatres, school drama groups and community arts projects in 20 different countries are involved. This compact version is for schools and other groups who do not have the resources to create and edit a weekly time capsule, but who still want to get involved.

How does it work?

We’ve created 25 short, simple challenges to help young people creatively document their life in lockdown using the video cameras on their phones. Participants do not have to appear in their own videos if they do not want to and they (or you) can choose how many of the challenges to do. You can keep the videos private or, if you want, share them publicly.

What do I need?

A group of young people. Any number, any age. A way of setting challenges for your group and a way for them to send videos back to you.

How long does it take?

You can do it in a day, in a week, or over a longer period of time. It’s up to you.

How can I use it?

As a drama, humanities, PSHE or learning support project during lockdown. To support students who are about to leave lockdown and come back to school. To support students who are quarantined.

What do I do with the videos after?

Once you have finished the project, we suggest editing all the videos together and sharing them with the participants either online (privately or publicly) or in a screening when you are all back together again. Editing can be done by you, a colleague or one of the students.

 

The Coronavirus Time Capsule is published in association with Nick Hern Books.

The Coronavirus Time Capsule Project has been developed in partnership with the Unicorn Theatre, Central School of Speech and Drama, the National Association of Youth Theatres, Scottish Youth Theatre and Youth Arts Network Cymru.


 

Working in partnership with

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Supported by

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