Headteacher Kari Anson shares how her community went from Isolation to Unity with a Community Kindness Legacy in this blog.

This is an entirely non-educational insight into the kindness of my community.

Cast your mind back to March 2020, when we were all instructed to stay at home with those who were extremely clinically vulnerable and instructed to isolate completely. As a clinically vulnerable individual (due to a congenital heart condition), I was alarmed at the number of daily deaths; remember, this was a time of pre-testing and pre-vaccinations. Both of my boys came home, and we bunkered down.

I live in Nottingham City, and the streets were eerily silent. It dawned on me that I knew nothing of the rest of the Avenue and their personal circumstances apart from immediate neighbours. My partner and I designed a flyer and posted it through every door, offering assistance such as dog walking, shopping, etc. 

As people got in touch, we set up a What App group with their consent. 

The group became a 4th emergency service. If people had already been out for their daily hour and forgotten an essential item from the shop, a plea went into the group, and a neighbour would pick it up. If people ran out of lateral flow tests or COVID tests, a quick text in the group and one would appear on your doorstep. 

We started talking to each other during the 8 O’clock NHS Street clapping. At Christmas, none of us could see family as we were in Tier 3, so we couldn’t travel, so we came together for a socially distanced carol service on the street. I played carols on the Tenor Horn, and residents sang. It was a time when we united.

Fast forward to October 2023, and the legacy of COVID has resulted in a permanent community kindness. We now have over 50 members of our group, with new residents joining soon after they move to the street. 

We are an example of socialism in action with individuals helping each other in a variety of ways, e.g. one has grown a street herb garden for use to help ourselves, one has built a community library for us to loan books, another organises street litter picks and if you need anything the first thing you do is pop the request in the group. Usually, some individuals can come to the rescue. Kindness is abundant in my local community.

My reflection:

COVID – a time of significant loss, but COVID was where kindness in our community was born.

From Isolation to Unity: The COVID-19 Community Kindness Legacy.

In conclusion, our journey from isolation to unity during the COVID-19 pandemic has left an indelible mark on our community in Nottingham City. When the world came to a standstill in March 2020, we responded with compassion, reaching out to our neighbours and forging bonds that have grown stronger over time.

The silent streets of Nottingham City prompted us to break down the isolation barriers. Through a simple flyer and a WhatsApp group, we established a lifeline of support for those in need. What began as a response to a crisis evolved into a powerful force for good. Our WhatsApp group became the unspoken fourth emergency service, providing for each other in times of need.

Kindness has become our currency, and helping one another is second nature. In these challenging times, we’ve proven that unity and compassion can prevail in the face of adversity. COVID was indeed a time of significant loss, but it was also when kindness was born and continues to thrive in our local community. The legacy of our COVID community kindness is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the bonds we’ve forged, reminding us that even in the darkest times, we can find light in one another.

Headteacher Kari Anson
Twitter @anson_kari

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