To a New Dawn: Letters of Solidarity Anthology

ELLA MUSGROVE, 17 Despite lockdown and going months without seeing friends, I wasn’t lonely or isolated, as I used the months to work on myself. I re-read books – like actual paper books. I spent more time in the garden, even if I was only listening to music, and I went on a walk with my sister on a sunny day down a local nature reserve trail. Because of the lockdown, I really connected with my family, even if sometimes it ended in a screaming match. I still kept in touch with some friends, and it really became clear who I’m friends with. By keeping in touch, I mean by spam-sending funny gifs and YouTube videos about rubber ducks and the FaceTimes that were so soul boosting.

I didn’t realise how much I would miss my typical college day, running for the bus and walking through the town centre, and feeling euphoria when one of my teachers let us go early and I finished my college day as it started, once again running for the bus. And before I knew it the lockdown was over, and I was getting ready to start my new course. But the change in us shocked me after months of people helping each other. People went back to attacking each other – whether that be online or in person. We became better people once and we can do it again, and it should be permanent. We all have the ability to help each other and be kinder, even if it is a random act of kindness, for example giving a homeless person a sausage roll and a 110