Lockdown Life captured!
As everyone is well aware we have been in a state of lockdown for a good 6 weeks now! It was been a very very unusual experience!! I, like many others, have found myself out of work and twiddling my thumbs. I wanted top volunteer to help out in Bagshot, the village I live in. There was an overwhelming response for volunteers which is great, but it meant there was nothing for me to do. I thought about what I could do to help my community or lift spirits.
So I came up with the idea of doing Doorstep photos. I thought that on my daily 1 hour walk around my village, I could take pictures of families from a distance at their doorsteps. I adhered to all rules set by the government, I kept my distance, I only took photos on my hour walk, I messaged the families to say when I was outside so I didn’t knock on doors. The response was incredible!!
Every person/family I visited to do doorstep photos was amazing! The feedback I got was that I had put a smile on their faces in this uncertain time. They had an excuse to put some nice clothes on, some make up on and a reason to open the front door and smile. These Doorstep Photos were not only great for the families to have as a memory of this time, but it was actually incredibly helpful for my mental health!! I cannot believe how much this cheered me up everyday! It can be so lonely and isolating being cooped up indoors by yourself. This was my way of seeing friendly faces and having a quick 5 minute chat. Priceless!!
Thank you
The Doorstep Photos project I took on was a completely non-profit thing. I wanted to cheer people up and give them a positive memory of this time. I didn’t want to charge for this, because to be honest, being able to do it was enough for me. Everyone that got involved did make a donation to the NHS or a charity of their choice. So THANK YOU!!! And thank you so much for taking part!! Here are the roads round Bagshot Village that took part…
The families…
In lockdown we celebrated birthdays, anniversary’s, pregnancies, VE Day and what should have been wedding days! I managed to capture these events which was amazing! Some of the families that got involved told me about their lockdown experience…
The highlight of lockdown has been spending more time as a family with no plans distracting us from the simple most important things. And the hardest thing would be, not knowing what’s around the corner, and not being able to help those in need. Missing the family but feeling lucky to have our health and a roof over our heads.
Highlight- not going to school! And spending more time as a family. Hardest thing – not seeing friends in person and not being able to visit grandparents.
The highlight has been spending more time as a family and slowing down our pace fo life. The hardest thing has been not being able to be with the rest of our family and friends, especially those who are going through tougher times.
Our daily exercise has become a favourite part of the day. We have enjoyed discovering new routes and walks around our beautiful town, which we previously wouldn’t have had the time or the inclination to do. The hardest thing has not seeing the rest of our family. Particularly our usual Easter celebrations.
From a personal point of view, it has been nicer to have a slower pace of life during the lockdown. But the hardest part has been missing friends and family.
From a work point of view, again, it’s been nice to have the time to spend longer with each patient and be able to have conversations with their families. But it’s been so hard during the saddest parts of our day that we can’t give people a hug! We’ve been part of this village since 1984 and Kelly and I have worked here for around 30 years, so we know the people very well and become hugely affected by their ups and downs.
Thank you for all your hard work Windlebrook Vets!
Highlight – lots of time as a family
Hardest thing – lots of time as a family!!
For Tony – Highlight – Being able to walk over the M3 (to Lightwater Country Park) and see no traffic on the motorway. Hardest part – No knowing what day it is!
For Judith – The highlight – Being almost ‘forced’ to walk to the Country Park several times a week in the middle of gorse season. The vivd yellow blossom has been out for weeks. The thing that I am missing most is not being able to go out to a cafe for a coffee and a natter. I probably don’t do it that often but it is different when you know you can’t.
Graham said – The highlight of lockdown is the slower pace of life. The hardest thing of lockdown is having to cancel events and not knowing when or if they can be rescheduled.
Tara said – The highlight has been the blessing of time together as a family unit, enjoying simple routines like cooking together and Sunday movie night. The hardest thing is knowing that I am not free to travel to see my ageing mother in her nursing home or my extended family overseas.
The highlight for me has been catching up on my sleep. As I was previously travelling 4 hours a day into central London and back, getting up at 5.15am and getting home for 7.15pm. The hardest thing has been not being able to round to see my parents or go out with friends. Friends are easier with video chats, but my parents are in their mid 80s. My Dad is undergoing chemo; I would love to give them a hug!
The best thing about lockdown has been celebrating our Ruby Wedding Anniversary in a unique way. But also having time to spend in the garden and doing a bit of art work.
The hardest thing is being separated from family, in particular the grandchildren Logan and Lauren. We miss the cuddles terribly.
The biggest highlight for me is going back to some more traditional family values, having time to cook better meals for my family and enjoying them together every evening. And teaching my children how to bake. Spending time playing cards and board games, and not rushing around in the mornings. The thing I miss the most is COFFEE SHOPS!!! Oh and seeing friends and family!!!
The highlight for us has been getting to meet our long awaited sweet baby Harper Jane 4 weeks early! The hardest thing is finally having our little girl and not being able to share her with any of our family or friends.
The highlight has been spending precious uninterrupted family time with my little Arthur Chops. 🙂 He is learning so much, and I have watched him grow every single day…so precious! The hardest thing is not seeing my family for over 10 weeks, they are all in London…and how we miss them so very much! 🙁
The hardest thing has been sadly losing my brother to Covid19 and Friedreich’s Ataxia. The highlight has been find different and entertaining ways to spend time with my family.
The highlight has been spending lots of time at home. The hardest thing has been suffering with the coronavirus (I had been recovered 4 weeks at the point of this photo being taken) both my boyfriend and son had very mild symptoms luckily!
The highlight of lockdown has been life at a slower pace. Time to recharge and re-set. Having weekly roasts – this was rare before as we were always on the go. The hardest thing has been the uncertainty of plans but really nothing major for us.
Thank you to everyone getting involved with the project! You have all been amazing!! To check out what I usually do for work click here.
