Lynne lives in Colinton with her husband and two children. She dreams of being a freelance writer when she grows up but mostly just avoids growing up! For this lockdown issue of Konect, she muses on how her local community in Colinton is coping and what it has taught her about herself. Last month I quoted one of my Mum’s old sayings “Stop the world, I want to get off!” little realising that, just a couple of weeks later, it would feel as though that had indeed happened. These are the most extraordinary days that many of us have ever known - the generations who have not had to endure war, who have not realised until now how lucky we are to have had freedom and choices and abundance.
and raise spirits. The community spirit embodied by the now weekly “Clap for carers” at 8pm on Thursdays has inspired other creative ways to bring people together when we need it the most. An extremely talented local friend has been entertaining us with hand illustrated quizzes and amazing paintings on her windows. Another amazing neighbour played live music from his garden on Saturday afternoon whilst local people listened from their own gardens and windows.
For those of us fortunate enough not to have been directly affected by coronavirus there have been feelings of disbelief, of helplessness, of fear and anxiety. But through those feelings there has also shone a beacon of hope as people have learned to adjust to the “new normal” and do what they can to “it turns out help themselves, and others, lack of time through these difficult times. Local businesses have risen to the challenges, offering takeaway menus and delivery services. Fitness instructors are running online classes and we even have a local pub blog to keep regular customers in contact.
wasn’t what was preventing me from cleaning and tidying my house”
Volunteer groups have been set up, facilitated greatly by the power of social media. Fliers with contact phone numbers have been posted through doors and WhatsApp groups have been created for individual streets where people can share information and offer or ask for help. Rainbows have been painted on windows – an activity designed to spread hope 12 | www.konect.scot
In addition to the practical help on offer, our social media groups are full of humour, uplifting images and messages My old school chums have set up weekly Zoom “conference calls” where we can sit together in our own homes and chat and laugh over a glass of wine. Staying in, after all, is the new going out.
I realise that I am extremely fortunate in ways I have undoubtedly taken for granted in the past. Both my husband and I have jobs that enable us to work from home and we live in an area of outstanding beauty with an amazing neighbourhood who have rallied round to buoy each other up and make sure no-one is left out. Friends and neighbours are sharing their talents and gifts and lighthearted humour within our @KonectMagazines
