A 10-foot long ‘Wall of Reflection’, covered with hundreds of daffodils, has been unveiled on the South Bank in central London as a space for people to write and share memories of loved ones who have died.
The London Wall of Reflection, created by end-of-life care charity Marie Curie, is one of hundreds of walls set up across the UK in the run up to the National Day of Reflection on 23 March. The aim is for people to come together and remember those who have died, support those who are grieving, and connect with each other.
The huge yellow wall is decorated with hundreds of real flowers and includes daffodil-shaped spaces on the front and back for people to write in to share their stories of grief and loss.
Ballroom dancers Curtis and AJ Pritchard were among the first to visit and write on the wall alongside Marie Curie nurse Beth Namara and podcaster Dan Hudson, whose mother Marie Curie helped and who died at its West Midlands hospice last year. The wall is built on the side of the Thames and set against iconic London landmarks such as St Paul’s Cathedral.
It is hoped that the London Wall of Reflection will serve as an opportunity for the public to gather and remember friends and family by writing messages, memories and stories on the many daffodil-shaped spaces that make up the wall. It comes after new research conducted by the charity reveals nearly 7 out of 10 Brits (69%) consider national moments for mass reflection important.
The research also revealed the recent loss of the Queen and other high-profile figures such as Vivienne Westwood had a tangible impact on the British public, with one in two people (49%) feeling their deaths had opened up conversations around grief within their own families.
The London Wall of Reflection is up from 8am on 23 March, allowing people to reflect on any death of a loved one, from any cause and at any time. For many it may be the only acknowledgment of their grief and gives everyone permission to take time to reflect and support one another.
AJ Pritchard said of the day: “We lost our wonderful Nana in the middle of the pandemic and, as with all grief, have been processing it ever since. Marie Curie’s National Day of Reflection gives us a way to keep her memory alive, and a moment to reflect on the cherished memories we shared together. The London Wall of Reflection is such an important opportunity for the public to do the same and connect with each other in remembrance.
Curtis continued: “Grief doesn’t end, it’s ongoing, and being able to share your feelings with a network of people going through similar things can really relieve some of the burden. It’s been a privilege to visit the London Wall of Reflection, and an invaluable chance to come together with others to reflect on our losses with each other’s support – it’s really worth coming down, and we’re urging everyone who can to visit.”
Matthew Reed, Chief Executive at Marie Curie, commented: “The National Day of Reflection gives the nation the opportunity to unite in grief and share their experiences with others who have suffered similar losses. This year, we chose to set up the London Wall of Reflection as a public reminder of the importance of remembrance and coming together.”
Marie Curie launched the National Day of Reflection in 2021 as a day to remember those who died during the pandemic, and support anyone whose grief was affected by lockdown. Over 850 organisations took part in 2022, with a number of public figures supporting including His Majesty King Charles III.
Now in its third year, a series of free online events are being held throughout the day on 23 March, giving people more ways to connect with others. These include a workshop on the healing power of nature in grief, which considers how immersing ourselves in nature can help the healing process, and is hosted by Ray Mears, Raynor Winn, and Cat White.
The National Day of Reflection falls during Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal, the charity’s flagship annual appeal that runs throughout March raising money to support the charity’s nurses, doctors, and hospice staff so they can continue to give people end of life care.
The London Wall of Reflection is at Observation Point on the South Bank, at 56 Upper Ground, London SE1 9PP. The Wall is open from 8am-7pm on Thursday 23 March.
