I’m in awe of the community spirit I’ve seen during lockdown – let’s not let it fade when this is all over

Like everywhere else, we have had to adapt during this pandemic (Picture: Dawn Butler)

This is an extremely challenging time for everyone as we stay at home and remain socially distant from our family, our friends and our colleagues.  

It has been vital for us to do all we can to protect the NHS, and I want to thank our amazing doctors and nurses and all the key workers who are helping to fight this pandemic.  

But there is no doubt this has been tough for many people. That’s why it is so important that we stay positive and keep looking out for each other – especially those who may be more vulnerable, such as the elderly, families who are struggling, or those with underlying conditions. 

The past few weeks have shown us all the importance and strength of community. 

Here in Brent, there has always been a strong community spirit. 

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We’ve had street parties on a regular basis, including the amazing annual Great Get Togethers in memory of my friend the late Jo Cox, bringing families and the community together for fun and bonding.

We’ve had wonderful Visit My Mosque days, which sees mosques open their doors to welcome visitors of all faiths, helping to bring together people of all backgrounds and break down barriers.

When there was an uncharacteristic incident of far-right graffiti being sprayed in part of Brent in 2018, the community response was inspiring. People came together to condemn it, and the local Stand up to Racism group scrubbed the area clean.

There was also a vigil attended by residents, faith leaders, councillors, union members and activists. Everyone stood up to say no to hate.

Brent is the most diverse borough in the country, which I am so proud of, and it is that diversity which has helped us become London Borough of Culture 2020. 

Like everywhere else, we have had to adapt during this pandemic, but it has not dampened our ability and eagerness to look out for each other.  

I was inspired by Brent’s response in the early days of the crisis; people did not wait for the Government or the council to step in, but they started to organise themselves. 

Like many others around the country, my constituents went shopping for elderly neighbours, collecting medicines for the housebound and even turning their gardens into make-shift food banks. 

Brent resident Dela Idowu made a grief tree to remember her late neighbour (Picture: Dela Idowu)

It was also so emotional to see the actions of Dela Idowu from Brent recently, who brought her road together to grieve for and remember their neighbour who sadly passed away.

The support Dela and her neighbours gave to his widow was so heartwarming and truly reflected the nature of our strong community spirit in the borough. 

The pandemic has brought so much misery, but we haven’t allowed it to change who we are. We have rediscovered our strength, decency, humanity and community spirit.  

For me, the social distancing measures have prevented me holding weekly surgeries, but my office and I are incredibly busy helping people remotely, with an unprecedented level of cases to resolve.  

I am providing as much helpful information as possible, and working tirelessly to, among other things, reunite constituents stranded overseas to return home to their families. 

Helping our communities also means supporting our great independent businesses, which mean so much to local people and are going through a tough time right now. Sadly though, I have been contacted by many businesses – some of which have been run by the same families for generations – who tell me they may have to close for good.  

They all deserve to survive this national crisis and I have written to over 5,500 local Brent businesses offering my backing and to ensure they were kept up to date on current support schemes.

I have lobbied the Government, securing cross-party support from MPs from all four nations in the UK for my small business campaign, where I called for the Government to extend the small business grant schemes to cover those falling through the gaps. I will continue to fight to ensure businesses get all the support they need.  

On my daily walk, I like to check on people and make sure they have everything they need (Picture: Dawn Butler)

The virus may be putting space between us physically, but as an MP I am still making a point of letting my constituents know I am there for them – in a socially distant and responsible way of course.  

On my daily walk, I like to check on people and make sure they have everything they need. People will often speak to me from their doorstep or out of their window, and if anyone tells me they need toilet roll or any other essential item, I am always ready and happy to help out.  

There is one elderly man in particular at the end of my street who sits in his front yard and we regularly have a quick catch up from a safe distance. I have even cooked saltfish fritters and left them on my neighbours’ doorsteps! 

Last week I helped to pack and deliver parcels of food and essential items to shielded individuals in Brent.  

Every day 500 of these parcels are delivered to the most vulnerable residents and I was delighted to play my part in delivering to those in need. The distribution centre and buses are manned by volunteers and I am so proud of the tireless teams doing this day in and day out to ensure vulnerable residents are supported.  

It is exactly the type of community action we need during this tough time. 

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The more we stay in touch and look out for each other now, the less hard it will be to bring the community back together after this pandemic.  

But I also think it is so important to ensure that the way we are treating and looking after one another’s wellbeing now, must be how we look out for each other in the future when this pandemic is over.  

If one good thing can come out of this, it must be an ever-stronger sense of community. It is our strength. 

I am convinced that together we will get through this pandemic. 

Do you have a story that you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing jess.austin@metro.co.uk

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