Reflecting on a year since the first lockdown
On 23rd March 2020, England went into lockdown for the first time
Last updated 23rd Mar 2021
Today marks a year since the country went into national lockdown. People began working from home, the shutters on shop fronts remained closed, and classrooms became empty.
Now, 12 months on we reflect on the events of the past year.
Volunteers stepped up to help vulnerable people:
Throughout the pandemic, we've heard many amazing stories of people who stepped up within communities to help vulnerable people.
One of those people is Emma Robinson from Leeds, who set up the Crisp Packet Project Leeds during lockdown.
"You're possibly saving one life and saving the planet at the same time."
Using 44 used crisp packets, she makes blankets for homeless people across the city.
Emma Robinson said:
"People would assume it's rubbish, it isn't it's a life saving project, everything has a purpose, not just as a packet, but as a covering, it doesn't just cover food, it covers humans.
"It doesn't have to go into landfill. You're possibly saving one life and saving the planet at the same time."
So far, it's thought they've already given out over a hundred blankets since starting in December 2020.
Blanket
In August 2020, volunteers in Halifax launched the Halifax Community Fridge to feed people in the community.
Since then they've fed around 40 families a day.
The fridge is based on Gibbert Street outside the Madni Mosque and is supervised by young people in the area every single day.
Hassan Riaz, one of the organisers said:
"These are young people who could have been involved with other things, but they chose to serve the community. It's a life line and it's given these young people an opportunity to see first hand what poverty has been like during the pandemic.
"Had it not been for the fridge and the support and the food, a lady said she may have considered suicide."
Halifax community fridge
National Day of Reflection:
Today people across the country are coming together to reflect and remember those who have died during the pandemic.
The National Day of Reflection will be taking place so that we can remember those who have died from any cause during the pandemic, and to show solidarity for millions who have been unable to grieve together, throughout the last year.
MINUTE OF SILENCE: 12:00
SHINE A LIGHT: 20:00
There will be a nationwide minute's since at midday, to reflect on those who have died and support the millions of people who are bereaved.
"You're not able to grieve properly, it feels so cruel. It really feels like something so precious has been taken away from you."
The day, organised by Marie Curie will also see people standing on their doorsteps with candles, torches or using the light on a phone, to share a beacon of support in these incredibly tough times at 8pm.
Prominent buildings and iconic landmarks will light up across the UK.
It comes as the end of life charity releases research on the 16th March shows almost half (46%) of the UK have sadly known someone personally who has died during the last year and 56% of those agree* they have not had the chance to grieve fully, as they would have wanted to.
Philippa Flynn's grandmother, from Ilkley died in June, she said only 10 people were allowed to the funeral:
"Just that natural, wanting to give someone a hug or hold their hand, you are not able to do. It meant two of my brothers couldn't be inside the chapel.
"You're not able to grieve properly, it feels so cruel. But we weren't the only ones. It really feels like something so precious has been taken away from you. Things would have been a lot different had we not been in a lockdown."
How the NHS in West Yorkshire is helping fight the virus:
The 3 NHS trusts in Leeds have worked together to co-ordinate 70 thousand vaccines so far.
Rhian Wheater the Nurse Manager at the Leeds Thackray Covid Vaccination Centre has helped bring the programme together alongside partners including the army and adult social care.
She said:
"I'm incredibly proud to work for the NHS and see how we've all pulled together. How we've stood up to the virus and it's threats.
"To see those poorly people able to go home because of the support we provide, and now we are standing up to the virus and protecting people."