As lockdown eases, we asked some of our colleagues from around the business what they're most looking forward to, what they have learned - and to share the most inspiring thing they've seen or heard over the past few months.
If you've not been asked, never fear, we'd still love to hear your thoughts on the questions below - either via the comments section or by email. And if you'd prefer to remain anonymous just let us know.
Thanks to everyone who has contributed with these incredible responses!
1) What are you most looking forward to from the easing of lockdown?
- The possibility of travelling abroad soon. My parents live in Portugal so I am desperate to get out to see them (Nothing to do with the weather / golf on the Algarve at all).
James Morrison
- The simple things in life, going to the pub with family and friends for a couple of drinks and getting back to playing and coaching contact football.
Ross Easton
- I would expect the economy to pick up quickly and to have good months moving forward. I would also expect the vaccine to be found so we can beat this insidious virus and I can finally fly back home and can hug my loved ones.
Monia Tempesta
- Having a glass of wine over dinner with a group of friends, ideally whilst sitting outdoors in the sunshine. I can literally picture it in my mind... Also going on holiday somewhere that means I don’t have to cook and clear up three times a day. The inside of the dishwasher is my least favourite part of life right now.
Charlotte Bantleman
- I asked my 10 year old son which shops he misses the most and his answer was “pubs”. I’m hoping we like them for different reasons but I have to agree.
Sean Guerin
- Being able to go places further afield than where we can walk to and getting some SUSHI!!!
Leanne Quah
- Lockdown has taken away many of our usual freedoms, sometimes otherwise taken for granted so probably like most other people, I can’t wait to be able see who I want, where I want, doing what I want. Probably initially in pub if I’m honest.
Adam Slesser
- A nice draught pint of Guinness. It’s been far too long and there really is no substitute ( I’ve explored the cans with widget avenue to my disappointment). That said I won’t be rushing straight out on the 4th though as still concerned I’ll spread the virus and wind up infecting some poor old Dorris accidentally.
Sean Williamson
- Being able to take my son swimming
- Eating chicken wings in a pub with my buddies
- Cinema
- Yoga in a yoga studio
- They release the new Venom movie
Damian Colletti
2) What lessons have you learned over the past three months?
- Three things:
1) Take less things for granted, even things you often think you dislike doing
2) Commit to communicating on a regular basis with those close to you, even if you thinks overkill, it’s the only way you find out if people are struggling
3) If you are unsure about your eyesight, take a drive to test it
James Morrison
- They key thing I’ve learnt is a new respect for teaching juniors, that I’m better at teaching Maths than English and now know what a conjunctive adverb is.
Ross Easton
- Difficult situations can bring good opportunities to change and improve. I have had the opportunity to spend more time with my son; therefore his Italian has improved considerably during this period. He can now read and write in both English and Italian.
Monia Tempesta
- Our children are as happy in the park with friends and a game of football as they are being taken on an outing that requires planning and driving far and probably costs a lot of money.
I love walking and should probably take the leap and buy a dog as then I would be forced out of the house more often.
There are people in the community who are completely selfless and I like to think I could be more like them at some point in the near future.
Charlotte Bantleman
- Teaching is not easy. Kudos to anyone who hasn’t ruined their child’s educational future while home-schooling
- Keeping in touch with family and friends really is vital for mental health
- Someone has shrunken my clothes
Sean Guerin
- That my bung left knee can hold up to a run around the park, which I always told myself was “impossible” before lockdown forced me into that form of regular exercise. And also that I would not actually kill my partner if confined to a small space with them for long periods of time.
Leanne Quah
- A measurement of Happiness is often referred to as “how in control of your life you feel”. A theory which has certainly been tested to its limits over lockdown. One thing I’ve learned is that we are actually in control of a lot more in life (work and personal) than maybe I’ve previously acknowledged and after the time to reflect lockdown has effectively presented us with, I’m certainly going to try to live in the moment more, appreciating what I have, instead of thinking ahead at what I could have. I think another big measurement of happiness for me is sharing experiences with others. To have a better appreciation of each other, and a larger sense of gratitude for the things we do have is key.
- Cultivating Relationships is so important in everything we do, whether it be with Family, Friends, colleagues or Acquaintances, it’s all about spending time listening and collaborating with others to share common ground in the things we do to keep moving forwards.
- Communicating and collaborating with more people and understanding the more human side of the things we do each day, whether this be smiling, saying hello, engaging more with people in general is very important. Opening up dialogue, asking more questions and listening to others is certainly something I have done more of over lockdown, albeit virtually most of the time. I feel it’s important to continue making a conscious effort to do this more than maybe I placed as much importance on before lockdown.
Adam Slesser
- I have learned the despite thinking the contrary beforehand, kindness has prevailed in the Coastal communities during lockdown. We’re working together locally to hold on to our improved levels of cleanliness, reduction in pollution and overall community spirit. Now if the visitors to our little town can play ball too, we will be laughing.
Also that having a lockdown baby was not half a scary as the news made it seem.
Sean Williamson
- That perhaps you don’t always need to be in a specific place within a specific time dressed a specific way to be productive
- That people are resilient
- That necessity is the mother of invention
- That some people like to enforce rules not because they are sensible or necessary but because they get enjoyment out of telling people what to do
- That if you can be anything you should try and be kind
Damian Colletti
3) What has been the most inspiring thing you’ve seen or heard?
- The photo of Patrick Hutchinson carrying an injured protester away during the ugly far right protests in London
James Morrison
- General acts of human kindness and being more community / neighbourly spirited that are not so common in the UK this century.
Ross Easton
- I would mention a book I am reading: Awaken the Giant Within, by Tony Robbins. This is one of the books I have been inspired by to improve myself by taking control of my life and my happiness.
Monia Tempesta
- News about reduced levels of pollution since Covid-19 induced lockdown around the world. This significant reduction in pollution levels and the impact on the environment really makes me take a step back and review the choices I make. I like to think that there will be some real changes and people that demand change so we don’t just forget this whole thing happened.
Charlotte Bantleman
- A good friend has embraced the home fitness trend and is in the best shape of their life. I raised a can and mumbled “bravo” whilst eating pringles to acknowledge the feat.
Sean Guerin
- One of my friends organised the Mutual Aid effort in Hackney, and gave up loads of her time (despite still working and having a small child) to do this. So much compassion shown and seeing how many people came together to help each other out was really touching. Also just last week I saw a guy who had set up a “free food” stall outside the local library for anyone who needed some basic fresh food items like vegetables. This really hit home as I’d seen some people start foraging for food in the greenery growing around the parks near us in the last month or so.
Leanne Quah
- The most inspiring thing I’ve seen over the last 3 months is the way every individual in my team has come together and managed to stay positive and focused working from home, given their own individual challenges the lockdown has presented them with. This period has really given us a chance to share experiences more and open up about things in work and at home which gives me real encouragement for what the future holds in store for us when we return to normality over the coming months. It’s amazing what we’re all capable of even when presented with such difficult challenges to face in to.
Adam Slesser
- I had a impromptu visit from ‘Socially distanced Spider-Man’. One of the local looney tunes do gooders took it upon himself to dress as Spider-man to keep the cooped up children amused during lockdown. He gatecrashes peoples gardens, does a few impressive superhero tricks, reminds the nippers of the stay safe guidelines and off he goes, leaving dozens of happy children and confused adults alike.
This sounds legit right? Should I have called someone? Nah, It’s probably fine.
Sean Williamson
- I’m not sure I’ve been inspired necessarily. Though the new version of Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power” is pretty good.
Damian Colletti
