Stepping Out Project

Wilf Hohenkirk from Isle of Sheppy

"I never thought I’d do gardening and was pretty pleased with what I was able to achieve in Lockdown. This is when you find out what friends you really have! Right now, there’s no light at the end of the tunnel

I tell my family be calm and be safe"

Shepherd Tambi from Southend

"In the lockdown I was eating too much and became a TV addict and I was not used to that. I was scared because I didn’t want to catch it, as I have known people that have died already.

This Corono virus has taught people to love each other, despite your colour and despite your background and realised that neighbours can actually care for you".

Stevie Butler from Southend

“It was really difficult; I lost my network of friends and family and social circle.”

Patrick Graham from Leigh-on-Sea

“I was concerned about the Lock down but I took the advantage of working from home and being as productive as possible doing things around the house.

Lock down made me realise…, It’s easy to Isolate people and how easy it is to forget your need for interaction and closeness”

Ona Simmons from Westcliff-On-Sea

"It effected my mental health, so tried to do keep fit indoors. The government information and news has not been clear and I feel trapped. This has given me and my family a lot of anxiety".

Msoo Benedicta Makeri from Southend

"This is a traumatising situation. As a single mother of two, my 4-year-old daughter says, “Why can’t we go out mummy is the Corona Monster still here”?

She will always remember having to wear a mask".

Michelle Stennett from Westcliff-On-Sea

"I wasn’t as worried as I should have been, it was only when the numbers started to rise that I started to take it seriously.

It was nice for my family to all be at home together, even though we were being forced, we really made the most of that quality time".

Michelle Passfield from Leigh on Sea,

“I have suffered from Zoom fatigue otherwise it hasn’t bothered me but when out and about I wear my mask”

Michael Cairey, from Westcliff

“This is a flippin nuisance, but I kept myself busy by painting which I love".

Marcel Celine Alexander from Westcliff.

“People are walking along the street with the virus and is then you catch the virus, because people feel that you safe.., but you not really safe”.

Mara Chrystie from Southend

"It was very distressing but I was lucky that my son came over to stay with me and he is a very good cook. I spent most of my time making mosaics".

Lorna Thompson from Southend

"I said to myself follow the rules. I used my time in doors to de-clutter. I’ve found that people care more about each other right now…, it’s a caring time.

We should recognize it’s a serious situation now".

Kevin Watson, From Westcliff

“I spent a lot of time in my garden, but also my wife kept me busy with household repairs that had been put off for years.

People were afraid to mix with anyone and it continues to effect people”

Judy James from Southend

"It didn’t affect me that much as I wasn’t accustomed to going out. I found a hobby of watching peoples funerals on YouTube. I don’t know why, but it makes me feel calm".

John James from Basildon.

“I’m not gonna let all this phase me, we all got to die someday”.

Jenny Jacobs, From Southend

“Covid came as a great shock and literally immobilized myself and my partner

Jacqueline Sealy from Westcliff-on-Sea

"From a business level it completely destroyed me and on a personal level it’s been a nightmare for me. There was a period when I said, “great lockdown I don’t have to get dressed”. That that was the road to ruin and eats away at the fabric of your relationship".

Gaynor Solly from Westcliff-On-Sea

Initially I was obsessive about cleaning and we had a decontamination pod at the front door. When you came in, you stripped off and swabbed everything down.

Beryle Melville from Forest Gate.

“I wouldn’t be able to go out for a long time and was nervous because I didn’t know what would happen"

Fay Sealy from Westcliff,

“From the say lockdown, I lock down. Vaccine?? I’m not a guinea pig and when it tests and good, then I might take it but not now.”

Dawnette Fessey from Southend.

“I was unsure of what to expect and then people were panic buying food and toilet rolls.  We are very sociable people and I have missed being sociable.”

Donald Creary from Thorpe Bay

It gave me the time to do what I needed to do without being distracted. Life goes on, you have to find a way.

As a community we either pull together or pull apart

Chris Sternshine from Westcliff

“I missed going to the theatre, and I know it’s safety but I don’t like the masks”

Charlotte Windley from Leigh on Sea,

“I live with family and my dogs and spent time reconnecting with friends on the phone. I have missed human interaction on a daily basis”

Casper Gray from Westcliff

“I am happy to be in my home. I never miss anything and would not take the Corona-virus Vaccine”.

Alexandra Waite, From Southchurch

“I was worried for my kids and we just couldn’t do anything.  The Corona-virus has created massive mental health issues.”

Audrey Heal from Westcliff-on-Sea

I had only just started my business, Chrisma Hair Saloon and within two months I was shut down. So financially it was hard, very hard. It’s effected the whole family, to the stage where, if I don’t have to go out, I won’t. I have really taking to shopping online.

Anita Whiteley from Southend

This has been a devastating time. As a single mother of 4, still working as a key worker and at University, I’m finding it so hard to be positive myself. This has been extremely challenging.

Angie Bruce from Westcliff-on-Sea

It made me feel quite scared and very anxious. We’ve gone up, we’ve gone down, we’ve been locked in, we’ve been locked out. I’ve done an awful lot of baking, which I have quite enjoyed.

Norma Griffith from Westcliff,

“Since the Lockdown I have Been very sad. But I love my garden and it keeps me occupied. But the news on TV can make you very upset “

Welcome to the Stepping Out Project.

South Essex African Caribbean Association SEACA, working with Label Free Creativity (CIC), present Stepping Out, a Covid-19 recovery project, using story-telling, digital tools and mediated support to encourage African and Caribbean elders and others feeling vulnerable in Southend, to ‘step outside again’ and start resuming routines, renewing friendships and returning to favorite places.
Stepping Out has been supported by the Essex Corona-virus Response and Recovery Programme, which is managed by Essex Community Foundation.