Page 10 - Community Living Magazine 34-1

lockdown life
How I’m coping in the crisis

Sara Pickard was enjoying theatre rehearsals and getting to grips with her
new job – then the pandemic struck. How did she adapt to the restrictions
and find new interests?

n 23 January 2020, before we were touch. I have been able to keep up with
aware of coronavirus, I wrote my my duties as a community councillor In the early days, I missed
Olast article for Community Living through online meetings. the face-to-face contact,
and submitted it for the spring issue. I really enjoy my weekly Odyssey
At the time, I had decided to write Theatre sessions online. Even though our especially with family, even
about what I felt had been my next show has had to be cancelled, though doing regular video
achievements over the past 10 years. we love working on new ideas and
Near the end, I wrote: “And so to the being creative. calls helped
future! Well, who knows?” I have also discovered the Our Voice –
None of us could have predicted, then, Weekly Check-In run by the Down’s
what a strange year 2020 was going to be. Syndrome Association, which I find really Now and looking ahead
I was very excited to be starting a new inspiring. On the first call I did, I didn’t So, how do I feel I have coped, and what
job on 1 March with Mencap Cymru as know many of the young people involved am I looking forward to most?
the external affairs officer. I had a great but, now I have been on more of the calls, Overall, I feel that I have coped really
first couple of weeks… then, on 17 March, I am getting to know them even more, well, keeping myself busy and having a
I was furloughed and lockdown started. and I always look forward to the calls routine, while at the same time doing
So, how have I coped? I feel I have been each week. things that make me feel relaxed when I
proactive and having a routine has helped am doing them. So, yes, I feel that I am
me to get on with things. Every morning, I Missed happy and coping just fine.
have caught up with my emails and done What have I missed most? I am really looking forward to be
some reading around my work, especially In the early days of the lockdown, I able to see my boyfriend, Simon, as
Community Living articles. know that I missed the face-to-face I have only been able to see him on our
I have also enjoyed spending time on contact, especially with family, even Odyssey video calls up to now. Actually
some new interests. I have really enjoyed though doing regular video calls helped. spending time with him and my best
walking in our local area every day and I’ve missed being in my work setting friend Becky is also something I am
discovering new paths and places that we and seeing my colleagues who I get looking forward to.
never knew about, even though I have along with really well and rehearsing Most of all, I look forward to being able
lived in this village nearly all my life. with Odyssey Theatre Company in our to return to normal life when all of the
At home, I have spent time enjoying regular way. pandemic is eventually over. n
playing word games with my family,
such as Double Quick and Scrabble. I
have found Zen Colouring a very relaxing
and therapeutic way of spending a little
time as well as my passion for listening
to music.
Like most people, I have found online
video calls a great way of keeping in

Sara Pickard has used online video calls to stay
involved with a theatre group and attend
meetings of community councillors; the local
area has proved to be a good place to explore

Mick Lobb/georgraph.org.uk

10 Vol 34 No 1 | Autumn 2020 Community Living www.cl-initiatives.co.uk