Making the most of now – Your lockdown hobbies

Making the most of now

– your new lockdown hobby

The pandemic has forced us to look at life in new ways. With lockdown restrictions curtailing socialising and making some past-times impossible to enjoy as we once did, many people have been picking up new hobbies or learning new skills to make the most of living through these strange times.

Carol Scholfield

Carol Scholfield, Chief Dental Technician, and Anna Edgren-Davies, Senior HR Manager – wild swimming:

Carol: “A life-changing accident and, further to this, a life-altering illness has meant that for many years I have struggled to find an activity I could do that wouldn’t leave me gasping for air. Sarcoidosis has meant I’ve been unable to walk far or use equipment safely. It wasn’t until earlier last year when a lovely friend of mine - who shares my diagnosis – encouraged me to join her in her new hobby of wild swimming. “I have always loved water, and so one afternoon in May I visited my friend at her canal boat near Manchester and we dipped into the river alongside the canal. I was absolutely hooked from there. I could swim, I didn’t need any aids or assistance, and I felt empowered as I hadn’t done for the past five years. It was thrilling, and the fear of the cold water made it even more so - but all we did was laugh and squeal like kids. “My family have been so supportive. We came up with a rule not to go alone, so I’ve been going to to a local lake through the summer with my son and his lovely girlfriend. We stopped as the weather got colder but on Christmas Eve my son announced we were going to the lake the following morning. There was sparkling ice and bright sunshine. We broke the ice all the way down to the lake and, once in the water, lasted about five minutes. We couldn’t have been colder, but the feeling of elation lasted throughout the whole of Christmas Day, which we spent in the garden, with a full Christmas dinner in a tinsel-clad gazebo with log fires going around us and had the merriest Christmas possibly ever. “I realise I am luckier than most but my time at home has made me realise the value of having a workplace to go to. For many of us, our boundaries between work and home have been eroded with workspace taking over our living space so that there’s no way to ignore it. It has been so important to me to have something far removed from work and home when our world has shrunk so much. Wild swimming and the possibilities it opens up all over the country, when we’re allowed to travel, gives me some hope. “We’re looking at running some wild swimming starter sessions for staff who are interested in testing this hobby out. If you would like to register your interest please email anna.edgren-davies@nhs. net and when local restrictions permit we will arrange a session.”

Kate Davies, Patient Admin at Wharfedale Hospital – homegrown food:

“We were fortunate to have amazing weather during the first lockdown, this brought out the inner gardener in me. It’s always been there but with the added tension from the pandemic gardening helped me to de-stress and take time out on my days off. The kids got involved so it meant we were outside more and enjoying the simple things in life. We managed to grow a variety of things: courgettes, carrots, potatoes, broccoli, lettuce, spinach, raspberries (these were gobbled up in seconds), tomatoes, peppers and peas. “My gardening skills and knowledge have grown, it’s been lovely speaking to older members of the family to get hints and tips. There’s nothing more satisfying then when you get a basket full of produce to have for a meal. I’m already planning what to grow this year!”

Janette Gibson Administration Manager, Organisational Learning – crocheting:

I was 10 (over 50 years ago!), my friend’s mum taught me. I have been watching YouTube videos to learn, they are one of the best sources of inspiration and learning again has been brilliant. “Making these blankets gives me a chance to put thinking about work to one side, I go off into my own world where Covid doesn’t exist. I’d recommend it to anyone, it’s a skill you can take with you through life.”

Sarah Rogers, Volunteer Services Manager – from roller skating to house plants:

“I love rollerskating. The lockdown meant that I couldn’t do some of my usual skating classes or activities but forced me to find new places to skate. One spot was an unused car park, a factory that had been closed for business. If it was dry I’d spend a couple of hours just rolling around or practising new things. “Sadly, if it was bad weather, skating was off. So, I turned my attention to house plants. I acquired a couple of plants in April time, since then my collection has grown to around 40 plants of varying sizes. I am constantly tinkering with them. I have watering regimes, window sills full of propagating plants and an endless supply of spider pups. I think I prefer my house plants to actual gardening. It feels a bit less daunting than tackling the shrubs in the garden!”

Bradie Page

Bradie Page, Graphic Designer - mixology:

“The idea to try Mixology was a bit of fun really. I love going out for a cocktail, so when we couldn’t go out because of lockdown, I ordered a cocktail making kit! Initially I started looking up my favourite recipes online, but as lockdown continued one of my favourite cocktail bars started doing live mixology classes via social media, so you would buy the ingredients in advance and then make the cocktails alongside them on the video.

“This has made me feel like I wasn’t missing out by being locked in, and it was just something fun to do during a tough time. I can’t wait to host a celebratory cocktail party when we are able to!”

Tom Dickie, Head of Podiatry – wildflower gardening:

“I started a vegetable plot in my front garden some years ago, and we found that we didn’t really need it any more. So I planted a wild garden. It all started with the chairs, as we wanted something nice to look at as we sat of a summer’s evening. The garden has included bee bombs to attract insects and wild bees and striking poppies, it was a real talking point during the nicer weather. Neighbours would stop as they passed by, or have a drink at the other side of the poppy, it kept us in (socially distanced) contact with people.”

Andy Bennett, Estates Officer – ballroom dancing:

“I love to go and watch Leeds United, take foreign holidays and socialising with friends and family in the pub. Basically, everything that has been banned recently. So our latest adventure is learning ballroom dancing via Zoom. Every Monday night for 45 minutes my wife and I dance around our front room with Rise Dance from Farsley.”

Georgie Duncan, Deputy Chief Clinical Information Officer – mini market:

“I have an allotment where I grow veg and flowers. During the pandemic, I’ve created a mini market stall at the end of my drive, raising over £400 for J54 (Intensive Care Unit). This ‘seedling’ of an idea - pun intended - has turned into a real community project, with other people also contributing produce and plants to sell.”