HDSG: Adapting to Covid-19, lockdown and managing self-isolation.
Speaker Alison Warn
On 2 November it was the turn of Alison Warn, a new member of the Club and a trustee of Hertford Disability Support Group (HDSG), to give a very insightful talk into how HDSG’s members have coped during the Covid-19 pandemic and adapted to lockdown and self-isolation. Alison began by thanking the Club for its support over many years (Ann-Marie Parker is a member of HDSG and Pam Robertson a trustee – both Soroptimists).
HDSG was started over 40 years ago by Peggy Melville to support local residents with disabilities. It has no headquarters and only the use of a wheelchair accessible minibus for outings and socials. In normal circumstances nine social events, mostly involving light entertainment, are held each year and are principally a chance to socialise. These and the occasional outings – river trips, the pantomime or the seaside – are enjoyed enormously by the members, especially those who are rarely able to leave their homes.
HDSG is entirely voluntary and has seven trustees and various helpers, including several young people from Sele School. The 35 members come from a wide variety of backgrounds and are found mainly through word of mouth. The youngest is 57 and the oldest 102, with an average age of 82 (the number of members is restricted by the transport available). 16 live in Carlton Court on the Sele estate, one in Beane River View off Port Vale, two in their own homes with resident carers, two in sheltered housing and 14 rent; none live in care homes. Family support is variable, but all have friends with whom they are in contact. One, aged 94, is very able and independent; the rest are all disabled, some very severely, but none are in hospital. Their disabilities include Parkinson’s disease, osteoporosis, diabetes and severe hearing loss, while some require palliative care.
During the pandemic it has not been possible to hold any social activities, except for two cream teas which were very much enjoyed. These were organised by Jenny Hill, the youngest trustee, who also took part in the 2018 Brighton Marathon to raise money for the group.
The pandemic has been difficult for everyone, especially those in the two homes where the rules are strict and can feel harsh – no visitors are allowed, only phone calls; and residents must stay in their own flats, although some in Carlton Court managed to circumvent this by going to the shops. Many are in wheelchairs and confined to their rooms, and visits by health care professionals are much reduced. As well as having insufficient exercise, their diets also suffer from a lack of fresh vegetables and fruit.
However, the main problems are psychological. Isolation leads to worry, and pain seems worse when there is no distraction, as does fear. And fear is worse when people are forced in on themselves more than usual. Loneliness is a big factor, too. Although the HDSG have not been able to visit the members in person, they have tried to keep in touch by phone or electronically, but personal contact is always better. Moreover, phone conversations tend to take place on a faster level than personal visits and can be difficult to maintain if someone is in pain, whereas support and comforting silence are much easier to provide in person.
Nevertheless, the members have done their best to look outwards, sometimes literally – most of their flats have balconies, which enable them to see what is happening in the outside world and to feel part of it. Few are now able to garden but one has a cat, while another enjoys watching the neighbours’ children and dog, and another used to keep chickens, and many have hobbies which give them enjoyment and pride in what they do. Spring-cleaning, too, enables those who can feel more in control. The HDSG looks out for cards that reflect members’ interests and each also receives a birthday card, which again is very much appreciated. TV plays a big part, of course, but the HDSG also sends out word searches, which are very popular, as are crosswords and sudoku.
Possibly what HDSG’s helpers find most difficult when telephoning members is the lack of visual signals. How to know what they want, whether the call is too long or too short, or whether the recipient is simply in too much pain to manage a call. Nevertheless, although the members are finding the pandemic very difficult, with the added complications of disability, age and lack of control of their environment, it is clear that they appreciate enormously HDSG’s efforts to keep them in contact with the outside world and to treat them as valued people in their own right.
Vote of thanks were given by Jill Coggins.