Pandemic life in Oxford two years in — what comes next?

We’re approaching two years since the COVID-19 pandemic reached Oxford. Since then, we have helped launch Oxford Together alongside lots of partner organisations to coordinate the community response to the changing situation. In this blog, team member Sophie reflects on her experience of these two strange and often challenging years, and how we have learned, grown and changed along the way…

I know it’s not just me who is finding it hard to remember what has happened over the past two years. At work at Oxford Hub, in the rest of my life, and in the world, it all feels blurry. At the same time, I know it hasn’t felt like this for everyone. I’m privileged in lots of ways and have also been lucky so far. I know that for many people across our city, the UK and the world, loss, loneliness and worry have been felt deeply. The memories are vivid and the injustices very real.

But looking at this timeline of the pandemic, it’s no wonder things can feel blurry and strange. There’s been so much change it’s hard to process. At Oxford Hub we refer to the areas of work that have developed from Oxford Together as the ‘Together Neighbours bus’ — and it’s had a complicated journey as it navigated this timeline, with ups, downs and u-turns along the way.

A year ago, we reflected on what we learnt during the year of the Oxford Together response over the first three lockdowns, and those lessons — about the power of relationships and collaboration, and the incredible potential for communities to support each other — have been reinforced by everything we’ve done and experienced since then. We’ve been lucky to have some amazing social work placement students from Oxford Brookes on board, who have shared what we actually do and their experiences of it.

Six months ago we shared how our focus was shifting: from facilitating connections that enable people to do things on behalf of each other, to supporting people to be alongside each other as they regain confidence, connections and mobility. We’re continuing to develop our work in this direction, for example through Bridge Builders. This sits alongside work we’ve been doing across the Oxford Hub as a whole to facilitate the sharing of energy, resources and power to lead. One example of this, which I have been really inspired by, is the Leys Community Fund. Residents can apply for funding to develop projects to improve their local area, and the decisions about how to use the funding are made by other local residents.

The journey hasn’t been easy, so I’m relieved and hopeful now that we’re starting to see some green shoots of all this. We hope that people who’ve experienced some of this support, and have courageously been building their confidence and connections, will want to share their stories when the timing is right for them.

The months ahead are uncertain, with the cost of living increasing and now the turmoil of what’s happening in Ukraine. With restrictions ending, some people feel like life is actually getting back to normal, while for others it’s a reminder of stark differences that can feel harder as others get busier. A few people have said to me that they felt less isolated during lockdowns, despite being more alone. For me personally, it means facing being out in the world more as an anxious soul.

I know for many too, there’s an exhaustion to the bones, especially for people who’ve been grafting since the first lockdown, whether taking care of essential services across the county or looking after a loved one. It’s a lot and as clichéd as this is, the best way through it is together. What I think helps is that it feels like this vulnerability about how we’re actually doing is shared more. Some of the veneer of life has gone and has been replaced with an honesty that can allow trust to grow, and the best kind of progress to happen.

I’ve been inspired by lots of chats recently: from hearing about powerful relationships formed at larders and in community cafes, to what the OX4 Food Crew have been up to collaboratively, to how people have regained confidence to get back out shopping again or meet new people. Despite everything that’s incredibly tough, there are also green shoots all over the place. Different ways of supporting each other in neighbourhoods longer-term have emerged or even flourished in this period — solidarity, resilience, collective caring and rooting for each other.

I’ve just been messaged by a colleague and friend, wishing me a happy International Women’s Day. We’re also celebrating today a year since three of the team joined. I’m grateful to work with such a thoughtful and talented bunch, in a city that’s much more than it seems on the surface, with the potential to be better for everyone to whom it’s a home. The months ahead will be tough, in different boats, though I am hopeful that we’ll keep finding ways to take care of each other, be alongside each other, and share energy, resources and power to build a better future.