One year on since first lockdown: Meet Dorset’s COVID-19 heroes
It’s been one year since the Prime Minister launched the country into the first lockdown
Last updated 23rd Mar 2021
It’s been a full year since the first national lockdown was instigated and Dorset residents, volunteers and key workers are reflecting on 365 days of perseverance.
In the early days volunteers were needed just to make sure enough food was getting to those who were shielding, before panic buying say shelves start to become bare.
Now, more than 8,500 volunteers are helping to distribute the vaccine at centres across the county, and that’s without mentioning the droves of volunteers still ensuring everyone has stocked fridges.
Weymouth Town Council was quick to respond to the needs of many by launching its 'Keep in Touch' scheme for those who were not able to get to the shops.
Town Councillor Gill Taylor told Greatest Hits Radio Dorset:
“In this world where everybody’s so busy, it’s all rush rush rush, suddenly people were finding neighbours that they never knew about.
“What really hit me was when we started delivering leaflets, and we did over 10,000 leaflets. I had more people offering to put leaflets out for me than I had leaflets to deliver.
“It just went like a dream and then all of the background was set up for that so we were delivering food boxes but on top of that we were doing all of the other things like the prescription pick ups, dog walking, befriending – even things like delivering plants to people.
“It was amazing and it was all done by volunteers, that was the impressive thing to me.”
NHS heroes
NHS staff have obviously been at the forefront during the pandemic, but never before have they been so valued.
On Saturday NHS Staff at Bridport Medical Centre vaccinated 2500 people, the highest number in a single day there so far.
The photo above shows volunteers from Bridport Coronavirus Community Support who have been helping inside Bridport Medical Centre.
Jonathan Fry, 3rd from left - the team leader for interior volunteers said:
"A year ago none of us could have imagined this photograph. Yet here we are, a group of disparate, enthusiastic and very proud volunteers dressed in scrubs and waiting in anticipation of our biggest vaccination day so far. Three months ago I had not met any of the brilliant people who make up our band of volunteers or the fabulous staff at the BMC.
"But now we share a common purpose, mutual support, humour and loyalty none of us could have foreseen and I genuinely love being part of it. We are also privileged to share, albeit fleetingly, the intimate anxieties and joy of those coming for their vaccinations, and I am humbled by it. So thank you to my fellow volunteers. We have donned a uniform of high viz waistcoats, masks, scrubs and wooly hats and grown into an awesome team."
Dorset in Lockdown
The photo was taken by Eddy Pearce who’s been documenting the past year of lockdown on the Bridport Lockdown facebook page.
Photographs published on the page have featured people from all walks of life from shop owners, bin men and doctors.
Eddy says we’ve all grown to appreciate those working hard to keep society running. One photo of two men in a rubbish truck posted on the page was praised by followers.
Eddy said:
“How many people are taking pictures of those guys? It’s really obvious that we should all be grateful for the NHS but actually there’s a much bigger picture here of what’s going on to keep the wheels turning.
“I remember speaking to a local farmer around about the same time as the photograph and he said usually if you drive a tractor down a country lane and you’re doing 20 mph you might get a particular hand gesture out the window, and now you get a very different one.
“You get a thumbs up or a wave and people are really grateful for what you’re doing."
Do you know a COVID-hero who deserves to have their story told? Get in touch with our journalists via: dorsetnews@bauermedia.co.uk