Lockdown: One Year On – Evie
10 May 2021
It’s been over a year since we closed our doors at Woodrow High House. A year since I set up my make-shift desk in my bedroom, and a year since my solar-powered calculator stopped working (I’ve since moved into the new realm of ‘digital’ calculators!).
At that time, never did I imagine we’d be running a blog series called “Lockdown: One-Year On”, and I’m sure that none of us could have predicted quite how much, or how little, things have changed since March 2020.
As we waved goodbye to what became our last school group on Wednesday 18th March 2020, little did we know that by March 23rd, our whole world would be turned upside down.
When I look back at ‘the year that stood still’, it can be difficult to reflect upon the highs and lows. I often find the darkness cast by Covid news-blasts, isolation and frustration can cast shadows over the joyful memories of quiz nights with neighbours, lunchtime walks and park bench picnics. I would be lying if I said the past year has been nothing but sunshine and roses. But roses have thorns, and yet can still bloom quite beautifully.
What I have learned is to appreciate the things that, up until this point, I may have taken for granted. Amongst many: impromptu catchups with friends, chatting to colleagues as the kettle boils, seeing my grandparents, celebrating Christmas with my family, and being outside.
For me, being outside, connecting with nature, breathing fresh air and exercising means so much. It’s why I so strongly believe in the work we do here at Woodrow. It’s why I believe that every child deserves the opportunity to access outside space, to play, to be free, to feel safe, to smile, to laugh and to learn.
A year of being closed is a year of missed opportunities. To all those children that have missed out on their first night away from home, their first campfire with friends, their first time picking up an archery bow and hitting the bullseye, as their classmates cheer them on, we understand.
We know that returning to normal may not be easy for some of you, which is why we want you to know that when you do visit Woodrow, we’ll be here to support you, to allow you to play, to be free, to feel safe, to smile, to laugh and to learn.
It’s been over a year since we closed our doors at Woodrow High House. A year since I set up my make-shift desk in my bedroom, and a year since my solar-powered calculator stopped working, but it won’t be much longer.
And if I’ve learned anything in the past year, it’s patience.
You can find out more about about day visit and residential opportunities at Woodrow High House, or family activities here. Or you can contact us directly if you’d like to discuss making a booking.
Written by Evie Edwards, Woodrow High House – Sales & Marketing Manager
Banner photo credit @jsphotographyd33
