How Sue Bellerby spent almost two months caring for her elderly father in a Spanish hospital.

It was July 2020 and my elderly parents, who were both in their late 80’s, had been in Spain for the whole of the first lockdown. They had tried to book flights back to the UK but these had been cancelled repeatedly.

We kept in constant contact with them both and spoke over the phone every day, but it soon became clear that my dads health was deteriorating. My husband flew out first as he was self-employed and could take the time off. It was about a week later and I decided to fly out too just in case something happened.

When my dad was hospitalised, we each had to take turns in visiting him. It was already such an uncertain time and the thought of losing him just made everything else harder. I remember it being very touch and go for a while.

After nearly three weeks in hospital the insurance company informed us that there was a private plane available to fly them both back. It felt like the end was finally in sight.

The whole experience was so difficult for me. I have never needed to care for my parents before, let alone in a foreign country thousands of miles from home. It is only now I realise how precious life really is.

By Emilia Kettle

Before March 2020 I had a steady part-time job at a local coffee shop whilst finishing my degree. By June, I was made redundant and could no longer afford my rent. 

It was scary knowing that I would have to find somewhere else to live and not having a job or any furlough to support me. I was hoping I could move back in with my mum, but she’s a nurse and I have asthma so we decided it would best if I moved in with my boyfriend Jim.

At the time we had only been dating for four months so the idea of moving in together so quickly was terrifying. We had no idea how it would work because we’d never even spent a full week together let alone move in together. 

Looking back now I’m glad situations happened that forced us to make those steps because it helped us grow so much as a couple in such a short amount of time. 

Ten months on from losing my job and my home, I’m happier than ever. I’ve been able to get a new job and the last year has made me realise how important relationships are.

By Ben Barry

The National lockdown back in March laid bare the struggles faced by families all over the country. I wanted to do something to help, so I started volunteering at my local food bank. I thought it would really make a difference, in a time when everyone is struggling.

Watching the news every day and seeing the struggles vulnerable families were going through, I didn’t want to sit back and do nothing. I wanted to look back at this pandemic and know that I did something to help, I did something to make someone’s life that bit better.

Volunteering at the food bank has made me realise how lucky I am and to see people who are less fortunate than me, it really made me think about how I live my life.

My role at the food bank was to package the food up before they get sent out to families, so I would be given a shopping list and I’d go around the warehouse packaging up items for people. Just like what personal shoppers would do in the supermarket.

I’ve really enjoyed volunteering for the food bank, it’s given me that sense of purpose during the pandemic.

The journey that Aaron Oakes took to get from Osaka to Staffordshire during the pandemic.

In early 2019, I was in Osaka, Japan, travelling the country and going to my classes as usual. It’s not that I didn’t know what was happening, it was impossible not to, but Japan handled the pandemic so differently at the beginning; you wouldn’t know anything was really wrong.

My university, the University of Leeds, was trying to get us back home as quick as possible, but with planes being cancelled and panic rising across the globe it didn’t seem possible.

When the lockdown hit England, I was so scared. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to join my family, to check in with people I hadn’t seen in months. Throughout March I was looking for any flight that could take me home, but every time I managed to book a flight it was cancelled.

I remember finding another flight; from Tokyo to Heathrow, and it left in 2 days, on April 1st. I was terrified that it would be cancelled, or that I’d land in Tokyo and then be stranded there instead.

When I got to Tokyo it was a mad rush to get to my flight, and I only felt relaxed when I was in my seat. The flight was 12 hours, and for the whole journey I couldn’t wait to see my parents and sister; I cried the moment we hugged.

I’ve been back in England for a while now and my university trip to Spain has been cancelled. I’m happy now though, I’m safe at home and I’ll never take that for granted again.

By Louise Hollingsworth

When the first lockdown hit back in March 2020, I was frustrated.

Just weeks before, I’d left my job at Deep Sea Electronic where I’d worked for 4 years, and I left to pursue my dreams of being a Lash Technician. When the lockdown hit, however, I couldn’t work and so had no income. The government couldn’t give me a grant for being self-employed because it had only been for a month.

That’s where my mask business began. I was bored, moneyless and thinking what can I do to get some money? Well, I’d always enjoyed textiles in school so I blew off the dust from my sewing machine and thought I’d try making masks.

I never expected it would take off like it did, and so I branched out to make scrunchies too. Matching scrunchie and mask sets were a hit and I’ve developed into “Scrunchies, Crafts and more”. I now sell masks, headbands, bandanas, t-shirts, scrunchies, heatless hair curlers, mugs and glasses and I have a website coming soon. 

I’m so grateful for what my business has become, and even though I’m back at my job of being a Lash Technician, I’ll be keeping my craft business going.

I am 96 and extremely vulnerable, if I get Covid I die to put it bluntly. I’ve been shielding and lonely along with many others during lockdown. However, since becoming fully vaccinated in March I’ve discovered a new lease of life.

I’ve always been very independent. I live alone and take care of myself so having to rely so heavily on my daughter to provide my shopping was challenging for me. Whilst being independent, I love being surrounded by my huge and crazy family and not being able to see them for almost a year was the worst part of it all.

Now, after having the vaccine I am feeling more confident and have more of my freedoms back. 

I’ve had a rather emotional reunion with some of my family and have even had the chance to meet my new great grandson which felt impossible a few months back.

I’ve been able to go to Church again which feels like my second home. The services are carried out safely and it’s a good chance to speak with my friends who have had similar lockdown experiences to me.

I still take the appropriate measures to keep myself safe, but things are starting to feel a lot more normal for me and I am so grateful for that.