What have you being doing during lockdown (Cummings need not respond).

Discussion in 'Bulletin Board' started by MDG, May 23, 2020.

  1. MDG

    MDG Well-Known Member

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    Whilst it has been hard, not being able to see family etc and the demands this has placed on people financially / mentally etc.. What's everyone been up to during these weeks?

    I've spent my time in lockdown trying to do positive stuff..

    Donated to some good causes and got myself involved with fundraising for Barnsley Hospice. I do a bit of singing so have taken part in some live streams to try and drum up donations. As a group we have probably raised approx £2k now which is superb for just doing something I enjoy.

    I've picked my guitar back up (defo beginner standard) and tried to improve..

    Started to sort the garden out, also got some Tomatoes, Cucumbers growing etc.

    Lockdown buzzcut, growing it back now.

    Just signed up for some programming courses..

    Oh and working from home, which has worked on the whole. Really have to give my employer praise when it has come to their reaction and support on this pandemic...

    What new things have others being doing or learning?
     
  2. TitusMagee

    TitusMagee Well-Known Member

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    I've worked from home the whole way through, providing therapy to clients remotely for the NHS.

    I've also got back into playing guitar on an evening to keep myself occupied. I've seen my daughter at weekends which I've really valued. I've saved a tonne on petrol and bought stuff I wouldn't otherwise be able to, such as a Wacom graphics tablet to draw on.

    Lockdown has been ok to me, but can be lonely at times.
     
  3. Trickster Two Six

    Trickster Two Six Well-Known Member

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    Working, we’ve never stopped. Really proud of the way everyone has adapted to the hand washing, disinfecting, social distancing we’ve put in place. Really disappointed with the lack of leadership from our directors, what we’ve done we’ve done ourselves, supported each others wobbles, kept the business trading. Could have done with a bit of time to get the gardens sorted and a bit of decorating, I’ve furloughed mates who volunteered for NHS but were never needed, I suppose if anything thats what I’d have done if furloughed.
     
  4. fir

    fired Administrator Staff Member Admin

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    I've been lucky, having my nearest and dearest with me, whilst I'm furloughed. Decorated my eldest daughter's bedroom, the kitchen, and the downstairs toilet.
    Had a huge clearout, sorted the garden. Spent loads of time cycling and walking, and also doing keepy-uppies in the garden with my kids. Still trying to break the 100, but getting close.
    I've also been taking regular trips to care for my 100 year old step Grandma, who has been shielding alone, and needs help with meals etc.
    If I'm honest it's made me really appreciate alot of things. It's a struggle financially, but I feel very fortunate.
     
  5. MDG

    MDG Well-Known Member

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    Sounds a shame about your directors, seems a complete contrast to mine.

    I'm full of praise for my employers how they have acted. We went into homeworking where possible probs 10 days before the government advice. They also introduced a policy where because of the new demands of maybe having children to home study etc, gave us an extra 10 days paid leave this year so we could dedicate some time for childcare etc. Support from them in terms of flexible working hours has been great although I have tended to stick to the normal schedule. In the lastest regular update, they have said those who can work from home will probably be doing that until minimum September and even then retain flexibility around our circumstances.
     
  6. Redstone

    Redstone Well-Known Member

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    Continued to work throughout, and had both our children to look after. Both have disabilities and one has quite severe needs. Unfortunately despite him having a EHCP in place has been unable to go to school and has been cut off from all his support. Also been fairly abandoned by the NHS to the point where I am thinking of looking into how to lodge a official complaint following the incompetent "treatment"he recieved last week.
    The lack of any kind of social release/break has had a very negative impact on my wife's mental health and in turn my own.
    Interacting with people on here on a range of subject matters has been a welcome distraction at time though.
    I suppose the only material silver lining is my bank balance is a lot healthier :)
     
  7. MDG

    MDG Well-Known Member

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    I can imagine the extra strain must be really tough with your children. Makes me rather angry when I hear about them not being able to get the support they need and access to education.

    One of my neighbours complained and ended up getting two of their children into school on some technicality, yet they have consistently ignored all lockdown requests. Having half the street popping in and out of the house, garden late night parties. Absolutely no regard for any one else. Yet they managed to get their children back into school simply because they were moaning that they were sick of them complaining (their own children). School have wisened up last week and told em no more school access as they are putting people at risk. It's harsh on the children because of their role models but I'm glad the school took that action.
     
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  8. Trickster Two Six

    Trickster Two Six Well-Known Member

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    mine forced us to stay open as we prepared to furlough the operatives, everything we've put in place we've done ourselves with nothing from the parent company, and when it's all finished despite all the extra hours and effort if we want any extra time off we can buy an extra weeks holiday. Sounds like you've a really good firm there.
     
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  9. Fon

    Fonzie Well-Known Member

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    Been working - both of us.

    I'm at the Council and the wife is at the Northern General.

    That's why I often feel hypocritical when i have a go at people who haven't been following lockdown to the letter - it hasn't really affected us as apart from weekends our lives are the same.

    Stay safe everyone.
     
  10. Dav

    DavidCurriesMullet Well-Known Member

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    Got the bugger early, so working from home now got breathing issues. Working for HMG on special projects doing my bit for the country. Would love to be more hands on like my usual role but GP and works occy health say otherwise. Put on a few pounds, finally now able to drink so got a bit giddy when suns been out, obviously outside working hours. M&S food hall less busy than most supermarkets and more organised, just calories in their foods are off the chart but bleeding amazing.

    Knowing you can work in underpants without a shower or a wash isn't good. Wife and daughter think I'm minging, but I'm hard earning money. Been busy with trade union queries, it's amazing want some senior managers think is rational and in line with H&S legislation and policy. It's as if folk can't comprehend written text.
     
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  11. Redhelen

    Redhelen Well-Known Member

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    I've been furloughed. Looks like most of you have been busier than me although I've done a lot of clearing out (hired a skip for the first time in my life!) I've enjoyed walking the dog and have loved being able to spend so much time reading.
     
  12. Jimmy viz

    Jimmy viz Well-Known Member

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    Worked from home throughout. Been busier than ever to be fair. Other than that just loved spending lots of quality time with my daughter. It’s been pretty amazing to be fair. Oh aye and saved loads of money though bought more vinyl than I should.
     
    Last edited: May 23, 2020
  13. JamDrop

    JamDrop Well-Known Member

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    Working from home around 5 hours a day and going into work on a rota. When not working, mainly looking after our trainee guide dog so trying to keep up with her training, finding new ways to keep her entertained as she gets bored really easily and free running her. Husband has been working full time at home. I keep being amazed by all the diy projects etc. everyone has been completing as we haven't done any big project like that, I wonder if I'll look back and regret it? It doesn't seem like we've had that much more spare time though. One change we've made is we've tried loads of new recipes and we bake quite often now (which we would never do before - we hated baking). We've always liked cooking but normally too tired after work to try anything new so that's been nice.
     
  14. Trickster Two Six

    Trickster Two Six Well-Known Member

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    Sorry for your trouble Redstone, fingers crossed we'll be out of lockdown in July
     
  15. exiled

    exiled Well-Known Member

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    Me and the Mrs are both supermarket store managers, so the above is exactly us, other than we've been much busier than normal and there's more twohats about.
     
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  16. Redstone

    Redstone Well-Known Member

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    Hope so too, not just for me but for countless others who have it a lot worse than me.
     
  17. How

    HowMuch! Well-Known Member

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    Living alone , two relatives , one 45 miles away one 165 miles away .
    Position of house on a corner means I rarely see neighbours .
    Chat with occasional passer byes when gardening .
    Once a week journey to my favourite supermarket including a thirty mile countryside drive to bolster mental
    wellbeing .
    Oh aye , in a vulnerable group therefore using my commonsense .

    But I am fine .
     
  18. Plankton Pete

    Plankton Pete Well-Known Member

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    Growing my hair.
     
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  19. Met

    Metatarsal Well-Known Member

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    Both my wife and myself have worked continuously. She's a Ward Sister at Sheffield Kidney Institute at Northern General Hospital, I work in MRI at Leeds, private health mainly but have zero hours contract in place at Barnsley (I offered my spare time to them) shouldn't they need any contingency.

    Personally, got fitter with walking and cycling - lost over a stone - and realised the value of the little things in life again.

    Trying our best to keep the kids spirits up, youngest should have been doing her GCSE's. She's been in a dance school since she was 3, and they've had an almost daily menu of Zoom lessons and support, been excellent. Son has finished his first year of medical school, had a few final Zoom lectures and online content to see them through. Awaiting to hear what next academic year will bring. A solution will have to be found, they can't accommodate a year where no doctors qualify, although I gather medical courses and training are now looking to cater for remote consultations and such like as standard.

    Oh, and the football. Not missed it one bit. But missing the folk I meet every 2 weeks.
     
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  20. upt

    upthecolliers Well-Known Member

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    Personally, the only thing that I have stopped doing is going to the pub on a Saturday neet and my big treat going to Oakwell, I look after my 25-year-old autistic grandson who needs looking after 24/7 we don't leave my property, the lad and I are either in the garden or in my workshop, been doing this for the last 3 years I don't go shopping as my wife does that, I have become a 1/2 decent cook over the last 2 months I can make a good spagbo. The only thing I miss is my other grandchildren they do come and stand at the top of our drive and ask if we are O.K. but it's not the same is it.
     
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