Survey gives hints on life in lockdown

Thursday 07 May 2020

Dog walking, crafting, writing in a journal and avoiding the news, are just some of the ways people are trying to keep their spirits up as the islands' lockdown continues.

The latest information collated through a weekly survey of residents across the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man has shown that working age people with children are the most likely to feel like they are 'suffering' during the lockdown.

They are also more likely to be self employed or have been furloughed or are not working due to the pandemic and either rent privately or have a mortgage.

They say they are 'suffering' because they are feeling lonely, isolated or lack companionship and have experienced increasing amounts of stress and a substantial reduction in their household income.

The weekly surveys are being carried out by Island Global Research, a Guernsey based company.

As well as revealing the negative side of life under lockdown the results for the last week of April have also given hints as to how people are dealing with their own struggles.

This includes using phone or video calls and social media apps to keep in contact with family, friends, work colleagues and loved ones.

Out of those respondents who had said they are 'thriving' during the lockdown, 50% said they have become closer to their family, friends or neighbours, compared to 30% of those who are 'struggling'.

Of those who responded to the survey - nearly a third said they have 'tried something new' or have tried to develop their skills in certain areas during the lockdown.

Some of the activities carried out by those who replied to the survey include: "long walks with the dogs, crochet, catch up tv", "half an hour yoga in the morning, and I'll try and make fresh tea like mint or ginger which I never did before", and "I am keeping a journal and taking a photo a day".

At least one respondent said they are "avoiding the news - only checking it once a day" to improve their own personal sense of wellbeing.

The sense of community seen through the numerous #GuernseyTogether initiatives was also reflected through the survey for the end of April, with 68% of all those who responded saying they have helped people outside their own household since the pandemic was declared.

Of those who are over the age of 70, more than half have received help from someone outside of their immediate household and of those who haven't received any help, the majority said they don't need any while just 10% said they prefer not to ask for help and don't know who to ask.

For the latest survey results in detail and to sign up for this week's survey, click, HERE.