Berkley Robinson
As we come up to the one year anniversary of the pandemic, I have started to take stock of my surroundings.
A one bedroom apartment in Centretown. No balcony, just me and two cats. A desk for working from home. A few feet away sits a couch and a TV ready for Netflix, a puzzle half-finished on the coffee table.
But, after a year of near continuous lockdown, these things cease to provide distraction. The novelty of working from home has worn off, snow covers our pathways and limits outdoor activities, and nothing has quite taken the world by storm like the Tiger King documentary on Netflix last March. For those of us who live alone, the struggle of solitude continues.
A year ago, I wrote an article for The BUZZ about how volunteering was a great way to connect to the community. It explored the relationship between volunteers and their chosen cause. At the time, I was volunteering multiple times a month at various organizations, and my connection with my community was stronger than ever.
I never would have guessed that, a year later, things would look completely different. While some volunteer positions still exist, many have been placed on hold or operate on Zoom due to COVID. Now, unable to see friends or family, living alone, I am denied another important connection: that of my community.
Already, my visits to local stores are quick and contactless, and small talk has become a fearful endeavour. I miss chatting with cashiers from my favourite local shops, attending trivia nights at pubs where waitresses knew my name, and trying whatever new workout class popped up. There are fewer and fewer opportunities to engage in our community, and the lack of volunteer positions has only highlighted the feeling of despair.
Some who would normally volunteer may be more at risk for COVID or feel unsafe volunteering during a pandemic. Thus, they’re no longer able to use volunteering to connect with the community. After a year of this, what are we to do? How are we to engage in our community in a safe way?
What I have come to realize is that, as we recover from the effects of this devastating pandemic, I must continue to foster my community connection through those around me. I have no idea when life will return back to normal, but what I do know is that some people still need help. For myself, I will continue to look out for neighbours who might need help with getting groceries or medication. I’ll offer to walk friends’ dogs, shovel driveways, and donate to local food banks. I’ll tell myself that this is just for a little longer and try to believe it.
If you are struggling with feeling disconnected from your community, please check out Centretown Community Health Centre’s Winter Schedule: www.centretownchc.org/2021-cchc-winter-schedule/
Berkley Robinson is a member of Centretown CHC’s Advocacy and Communications Action Team.