Positivity page

By Catherine Lymer

In these tough times, Catherine Lymer is going out of her way to show there are still good deeds to be done, and to find those doing them... During these very strange times we wanted to dedicate a section of the newspaper to just good news. This week this has taken the shape of reporting all the good deeds that the staff at Bucks Students’ Union have done or are doing to help others get through this. Lets start with our own VPSI – Christina Demetriou “So it started off when I tried to make an effort to support The Frontroom. Managing to get our VPEW (Brooke Pilbeam) involved, this has now evolved into several orders of delicious treats and drinks from The Frontroom, where our alumni, friend and business owner Lauren May Ross is working alongside her partners to deliver some happiness to every door.” Christina is now on a mission to support small businesses in this time of need. “Lauren is not only fighting to keep her business up and running, but is helping others like her as well, so I have joined in on her efforts to support other small businesses such as Flourish.uk by buying some of their beautiful bespoke floral designs to brighten up the house – now my sunflowers make me smile every day!” In Christina’s bid to support as many alumni as possible she is ‘ glad to say that from the comfort of my home I am now able to attend Rhona’s ‘Rock It With Rho’ classes which have been moved online’. Always one to stay positive, Christina has responded with “Self-isolation may seem limiting and scary but I am surprised to say that it has actually opened new doors for me. I am trying new food, supporting friends in their ventures and being inspired by some extraordinary people who are truly devoted to making the world smile again…with one coffee, one squat, one meal and one flower at a time”. Ellie Freeman who works over in our Uxbridge office has chickens at her family home, and has been out delivering eggs to all the neighbours. As well as this, Ellie has been shopping a few times for a neighbour who is newly retired and is one of our more vulnerable members of the community - having recently just come out of hospital. “He was so sad and it broke my heart a little. I would just really like to encourage everyone to check in on their neighbours, especially if they know any of them are in vulnerable situations. An hour from your day could make a big difference to them, particularly those of us that are in good health and in a position to help out’. Last, but not least, me – in the last couple of weeks I have registered to give blood with an appointment within the next few weeks. I have also registered with Good Neighbours in my local village to assist where and when I can with anything that will help anyone living locally. It doesn’t take much to have a positive impact on someone’s life – so the challenge is there. What are you doing to help? Please let us know as I would love to write an article about what our members are doing, drop an email to catherine.lymer@bucks.ac.uk with your good deeds, so we can continue to spread the positivity across Bucks.