Being a volunteer during lockdown

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, I have been having weekly contact with the mum over the phone. We talk about how she is feeling emotionally, how she is coping with her physical health and well-being, to support with play activities to help with attachment or to simply listen while she talks freely.

While the mum is very eager for things to return to normal, she is coping well under the circumstances. She is having medication to help with her depression and is really appreciating having me to talk to about how she is feeling, she says it is helping her a great deal. Face-to-face work is better because you can build a relationship more easily, but we must do what we can in these times and our calls are going really well.

I have really enjoyed providing the support as I am finding that it is a distraction from my own current situation in lockdown. My youngest daughter recently moved out and I also have a six-week old granddaughter that I have not been able to hold since lockdown began. This is an emotionally testing time for everyone, especially new parents’ and parents with young children. I have good days and bad days like everyone else but knowing that I am helping someone else makes life a little easier.