Hi <<First Name>> and happy (belated) International Workers Day and Ramadan Mubarak
In our last newsletter we included information from the Citizen's Advice Bureau about Coronavirus and state benefits.
This month we're trying g to keep the mood a bit lighter as we don't have any new information. Please refer back to the April newsletter in your inbox for advice.
Below is content provided by our members. We've got: yoga, poems, films and a message from our Mayor.
Thanks all who contributed.
If anyone has any stories from lockdown that they would like to include in the next newsletter please send us ideas on the usual email.
Stay well
Joe and Maurizio
If anyone is at a lose end and wants something to do, the New Cross Mutual Aid Centre are looking for volunteers. They are based at: The Field 385 Queens Rd SE14 5HD. Monday - Friday 12 - 2pm. tel: 07857024435
Remember we have our own support group, you can join here
Here's an acrostic from Pete Webb
Staying inside for 12 weeks
Having to rely on others for shopping
Isolation making you lonely and depressed
Each day bringing new challenges to overcome
Learning new skills with the time on your hands
Doing some exercise so you don't seize up completely
Interacting with friends and family online or by phone
Not giving up and knowing the end is in sight
Giving support to others if you can.
For those who would like remain active, yoga and meditation are much recommended by the NHS. Zen Yoga is a studio in Camberwell. All teachers are teaching online classes. If you'd like to join them visit www.zenyoga.org.uk
Interested in film? One of our members has forwarded you this link if you'd like to watch Korean cinema, watch here
Here you can find a list of free things to do whilst you are in lockdown, kindly provided by Jockel. Please click here to find all accessible links.
‘Lockdown lingo’- Are you fully conversant with the new terminology? Here are a few terms to get you in the groove:
Coronacoaster
The ups and downs of your mood during the pandemic. You’re loving lockdown one minute but suddenly weepy with anxiety the next. It truly is “an emotional coronacoaster”.
Quarantinis
Experimental cocktails mixed from whatever random ingredients you have left in the house. The boozy equivalent of a store cupboard supper. Southern Comfort and Ribena quarantini with a glacé cherry garnish, anyone? These are sipped at “locktail hour”, ie. wine o’clock during lockdown, which seems to be creeping earlier with each passing week.
Blue Skype thinking
A work brainstorming session which takes place over a videoconferencing app. Such meetings might also be termed a “Zoomposium”. Naturally, they are to be avoided if at all possible.
Le Creuset wrist
It’s the new “avocado hand” - an aching arm after taking one’s best saucepan outside to bang during the weekly ‘Clap For Carers.’ It might be heavy but you’re keen to impress the neighbours with your high-quality kitchenware.
Coronials
As opposed to millennials, this refers to the future generation of babies conceived or born during coronavirus quarantine. They might also become known as “Generation C” or, more spookily, “Children of the Quarn”.
Furlough Merlot
Wine consumed in an attempt to relieve the frustration of not working. Also known as “bored-eaux” or “cabernet tedium”.
Coronadose
An overdose of bad news from consuming too much media during a time of crisis. Can result in a “panicdemic.
The elephant in the Zoom
The glaring issue during a videoconferencing call that nobody feels able to mention. E.g. one participant has dramatically put on weight, suddenly sprouted terrible facial hair or has a worryingly messy house visible in the background.
Quentin Quarantino
An attention-seeker using their time in lockdown to make amateur films which they’re convinced are funnier and cleverer than they actually are.
Covidiot
One who ignores public health advice or behaves with reckless disregard for the safety of others can be said to display “covidiocy” or be “covidiotic”. Also called a “lockclown” or even a “Wuhan-ker”.
Goutbreak
The sudden fear that you’ve consumed so much wine, cheese, home-made cake and Easter chocolate in lockdown that your ankles are swelling up like a medieval king’s.
Antisocial distancing
Using health precautions as an excuse for snubbing neighbours and generally ignoring people you find irritating.
Coughin’ dodger
Someone so alarmed by an innocuous splutter or throat-clear that they back away in terror.
Mask-ara
Extra make-up applied to "make one's eyes pop" before venturing out in public wearing a face mask.
Covid-10
The 10lbs in weight that we’re all gaining from comfort-eating and comfort-drinking. Also known as “fattening the curve”.
Message from Mayor of Lewisham
As we celebrate International Workers’ Day today, please put some time aside to think about everyone working on the frontline, including our Council staff who are doing a fantastic job to respond to this crisis. Our team of heroic staff are working very long days to make sure vulnerable residents are looked after, and to keep our critical Council services running. From our care workers and refuse & recycling staff, to our teachers and parks staff – they are all truly the heroes of this pandemic.
Throughout this crisis, I have been overwhelmed at the generosity of the community response.
Our highest priority has been looking after our most vulnerable residents. Lewisham has over 7,000 residents currently ‘shielding’ from coronavirus, and a further 2,500 residents that have asked for help with their food supplies, medicine supplies and help to coordinate their care.
So far 2,000 volunteers have come forward to give their time to help with this volunteer effort. Local support is being arranged through local mutual aid groups for streets and neighbourhoods. Thank you to everyone who is helping friends, neighbours and vulnerable residents at this critical time. If you know anyone that needs some extra support, please contact Lewisham Local and we will arrange help for them.
My emergency appeal for Lewisham Foodbank has now raised over £100,000, thank you to everyone who donated. This is so important as local foodbank demand has tripled since lockdown began. Every penny helps, so if you haven’t already donated and are able to, please consider making a donation.
Damien Egan
Mayor of Lewisham
For those of you who would like to know more about the history of May Day / International Workers Day here is a short film.
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