At a time when there is so much uncertainty around coronavirus, I was heartened to see my local village exhibit some real community spirit.
Locals sprang into action, setting up a group to help the vulnerable in our area, and those who may have to self-isolate.
Offers of help came flooding in from those volunteering to shop or cook for those less able.
I guess we all have a part to play. It may even be something as simple as ringing someone unable to get out and about to provide a friendly, reassuring chat.
Within one day, this group had enough volunteers to allocate people to cover each street. They would leave no one out.
It’s exactly what we need: reassurance that a doorstep delivery of essentials is just a phone call away, if needed.
This is community spirit at its very best.
I notice other groups are springing up locally, and let’s hope it’s replicated nationwide. It’s the perfect reaction at a time of such uncertainty. The one thing we can all be sure of is that we need to pull together.
The footage coming from Italy in lockdown was a perfect example of people helping one another and raising spirits. If you haven’t seen it, it really is wonderful — people in isolation joining together in song from their balconies.
In Spain, some enterprising individual conducted a rooftop gym session, much to the delight of overlooking high-rise dwellers who joined in.
Let’s hope we retain that sense of community when we are able to put this all behind us.
Our lives would be richer for it.
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Yvonne McKenzie I work on the Features team and admit to being nosy, so I love looking after the Between Friends letters and finding out all about our lovely readers. I also look after our health copy and enjoy writing about inspiring people that help make the articles in the magazine so interesting.
