Covid Response
What Happened?
Just like everywhere around us, the personnel and training world had a busy year adapting and adjusting to COVID -19. As well as a frightening pandemic that immobilized us, causing suffering and grief to many, we as a movement had to look to other ways of connecting and interacting.
New language arrived into our vocabulary that we hope never to have to use again in this context. Words like furlough or furlock, as we Belfast ones liked to call it. Quarantine, lockdown and PPE equipment became regular talking points.
Concepts like self isolation, working from home and social distancing/friendly distancing have quickly become part of our working and daily life.
Who was Involved?
From a Personnel and training perspective, we moved to updating policies and procedures and online services to support people - staff, volunteers, members, families and young people. Our Response to COVID - 19 included a number of documents which were shared throughout the movement,. The YMCA response to the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic and Home Working Guidelines began with a foreword from John Peacock in which he said;
“Our work is and will continue to be disrupted by this outbreak, but the YMCA will consistently put the lives of young people and the most vulnerable in our communities to the fore. We seek to promote youth development, healthy living and community engagement, whether that be through youth work, childcare or fitness.”
We provided a COVID 19 response plan which laid out our policy and procedures and protocols for staff interaction and how to deal with a range of scenarios impacting on staff and practice.
As many staff members and volunteers worked from home and kept connection with families, members and young people, we updated our Guidelines and Policy document for staff and volunteers use of Social Media. This included Guidelines on the use of Technology, Internet and Social Media - Safe use for Children and Young People.
As services went online, this document was essential to ensure safeguarding for staff and users.
Why Did It Matter?
In June we asked staff what life was like during COVID-19. Here are some of the comments:
“On hold, in a strange place between restful and stressful”
“Unusual, have loved spending time with family and doing stuff around the house”
“Tough”
“Patience and Adaptability”
“Up and Down, like most people I’ve had good and bad days but more good thankfully. Mum had COVID and that increased my anxiety but she is better now”
Staff who have been/were furloughed told us:
“I’ve had good and bad days. Worrying about my children and also about job security”
“Missing going to work and seeing friends”
“Without furlough, my bills and rent would not be paid”
“I am very active and have used the time to support my family which is helpful”
We asked staff to share how they were managing, particularly in regard to emotional wellbeing, this is what was shared:
“Learning to accept the things I have no control over”
“Making time for myself”
“Swimming in the river”
“Following a routine”
“Watch the news less and spend less time on the internet as this has been increasing my anxiety”
“Exercise more”
“Take each day as it comes. It can be overwhelming at times, but I am still grateful we are safe and well and staying positive.
