Lockdown in Forres and Moray - what have we learned?

Today marks exactly six months since the UK first went into lockdown on March 23.

They've been months like no others.

With that in mind, some leading voices in Moray talk about we've learned as a society and what they've learned personally.

Councillor George Alexander (Forres/Independent) is both a former teacher and former leader of Moray Council

"Perhaps the greatest revelation for many during the lockdown is the shocking level of poverty in Moray.

"It exists all over and in towns where you might least expect it.

"Equally we have witnessed a tremendous outpouring of generosity both by volunteers in giving their time and by those who could afford to donate cash to funds such as the Moray Emergency Relief Fund.

"I would have to mention the also the tremendous effort of the essential workers who have done their utmost to provide the rest of us with essential services at great risk to themselves.

"There could not be a greater illustration of being 'all in this together' than the experience of coping with a pandemic.

"But despite this there are still those who believe it is all a hoax!

"On a personal level I must confess to feeling a bit guilty about the fact that the lockdown has not been a huge burden to bear.

"My greatest sacrifice has been the lack of social interaction with friends and family.

"At the same time though, I am acutely aware there are so many who have had to bear the lockdown in much more strenuous conditions than me."

Laurie Piper is the chief executive of Visit Moray Speyside

What we have learned as a society:

• That we are stronger when we work together.
• That we can all make a difference in our communities.
• That shopping local is the right thing to do.

What I have learned personally:

• That no matter how much you plan and prepare, some things just happen.

• That I don’t look good in a face mask.

• That each day is a new day.

Fabio Villani is in charge at tsiMoray which helps charities and third sector groups across the region

"We are still learning, but one of the biggest things confirmed to us is that communities can and should be trusted to do what they need to.

"They rallied, they came up with the solutions, and they did this quickly, in many instances before public sector or official responses.

"We are both grateful and in awe of what they did and how they did it.

"We are very happy to have been able to support the coming together of these groups, and we’ll continue to do so in any way we can, as they define what is next for their neighbourhoods and communities.

"Volunteering and especially informal volunteering – just helping out, being kind – is alive and well here in Moray.

"People want to be able to help when they can.

"Close to 1000 people came forward during the first months of lockdown.

"We are now re-engaging some of those volunteers in other, non-Covid related opportunities.

"Over the past six months we seem to have rediscovered the things that really matter: kindness; connecting to each other; a sense of belonging to our local community; access to nature and to Moray’s fantastic environment.

"We need to hold on to this renewed awareness as we seek to build an economy designed to benefit people, places and the planet ahead of profit."

Sarah Medcraf is the chief executive of the Moray Chamber of Commerce

"We have learned that behaviours can change.

"We've seen many examples of this across the region with more people shopping local, and local businesses pivoting and adapting to provide services that meet demand.

"What we are still to learn is how long does this behaviour need to go on before it becomes a habit?

"Are people going to default back to buying online or in larger chains?

"Do businesses need to do more when life isn’t in lockdown to make it more appealing and convenient for their customers to shop with them?

"With the changes of restrictions imminent, it will be interesting to see if the more luxury items that proved popular back in April such as the hire of hot tubs or even cocktail deliveries will be as popular this time around.

"Or, are people just fed up of life not being normal and the lack of clarity and consistency is starting to wear thin for many."

Heidi Tweedie is a mental health campaigner and a director at the Moray Wellbeing Hub

"Mental health is recognised as having been impacted by lockdown, yet support for it has been often been secondary to addressing people's physical health.

"During the past six months Moray Wellbeing Hub CIC has provided vital informal support for people feeling a sense of lost purpose and connection.

"Activities like phone calls and daily online meetings have made a massive difference to all involved.

"Discussions have touched on shopping and the anxiety caused by others not social distancing.

"Some have missed time and space for themselves, and have instead found people in their households getting on each other’s nerves."

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