During these days of self-isolation
By Jason Pittock.
As well as the physical community spaces of the Primrose Hill Community Centre, Library, cafes, pubs and restaurants there are also ways you can stay connected with the community during days of self-isolation.
Community Association
- The Community Centre will be regularly updating its website with local updates and changes to their events programme. phca.cc
- Likewise, check the Community Library’s website for updates on events and opening times. phcl.org
Both of these sites have related Facebook pages and Twitter profiles which you will see when you visit the site.
You may also like the I Love Primrose Hill website and it’s related Twitter account has plenty of local updates http://bit.ly/3ddkgJw. Another local blog, Prampstead, has a useful directory of local business still open for take-away/deliveries.
Social Media
Nextdoor
Nextdoor is a useful resource, it’s a localised social media service which groups people into the neighbourhoods they live in. The Primrose Hill one is fairly lively and gets updates from the Community Centre, the Library as well as our local councillors. There are already people there offering to help their neighbours with shopping, deliveries (and of course toilet paper). Nextdoor.co.uk
- Update – Nextdoor have created a help map for neighbours at higher risk.
Facebook – Primrose Hill United
A relatively new Facebook group called Primrose Hill United We Live, United We Are One Community, aims to help the community, sharing ideas and help. Local businesses like Greenberry have also joined up. Find it here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/primrosehillunitedwelive/
WhatsApp Group
A WhatsApp group has been set up to serve two main functions: 1) offer advice and support to people self-isolating or who may need help 2) coordinating volunteers. You can join it here: http://bit.ly/2UfO7Z5
There are dozens of local community Twitter profiles to follow, but the Primrose Hill Community Association will be sharing and retweeting key information, so start by following that one here https://twitter.com/primrosehill_cc
Chatting online
Google Hangouts is a free service which allows video chats with your contacts. It works in your browser or as an app on your phone. We’ve heard of cocktail parties being “hosted” across Google Hangouts. Hangouts.google.com You might also want to try Skype which does much the same thing skype.com
Isolation doesn’t mean you can’t watch Friends and other Netflix shows “together”, apps like Scener (scener.com) and Netflix Party (netflixparty.com) allow you to watch and chat at the same time, but note that everyone will need their own Netflix account too.
Useful resources for keeping mentally active
Here are a few links to other things (besides TV) you can do to keep mentally busy when stuck inside
- Free audiobooks – 1000 free audiobooks to listen to here: http://bit.ly/3a1O3mn
- Giant list of ideas for being home with kids: http://bit.ly/2QqyIE9
- Google Arts & Culture offers virtual tours from many top museums
- Free online learning from the Open University http://bit.ly/33pRYH8
- Audible is providing free books for kids while schools are closed
- Free printable colouring posters for kids of all ages
- Multi-player online games
Maintaining a connection is important, especially for those living alone. We hope some of these have been useful and might inspire you to help neighbours if you can.
If you have any other links you think worth sharing please get in touch [email protected]