Older people left anxious, worried and low after lockdown
Limavady woman says she is 'not coping' as restrictions ease
A Limavady woman who was shielding for over a year has told Downtown Cool FM she's 'not coping' amid the pandemic.
62-year-old Mary McCrea opened up to us as part of our You're not alone campaign to highlight loneliness awareness week 2021.
Downtown Cool FM hosted a focus group with charity AGE NI to hear about older people's experience during lockdown.
Mary said she was always busy before Covid-19 struck.
Active in her community, she was involved with many charities and volunteer groups and always out and about.
Mary was the Chair of the Roe Valley Children's hospice support group, the Causeway Older Active Strategic Team and treasurer of the Northern Ireland darts organisation.
But then the pandemic hit and her life changed as she knew it.
"I've become institutionalised because now I don't want to go out of the house.
"It has hit me a lot harder than I thought it would, I thought I would be the girl and I could get through it but I'm not coping and that's just being honest."