To say that the UK has been through the proverbial wringer both politically and economically, is an understatement.
The chat everywhere is mostly of a negative nature due to the rise in cost of living in every direction.
I decided to ask around to see how the situation was affecting people that I know and others that I had met randomly.
With a few exceptions, everyone was having to tighten their belt and some much more than others.
20 individuals between age range mid 20s and mid 70s commented.
The group was predominately female.
The catchment area is semi rural and has a large retired population in the low to middle income bracket.
I discovered that there were some surprisingly encouraging ways of dealing with the overall situation.
Read on:
1. The majority hadn`t switched on their heating, (mid October), and the remainder only for a short while. Most had added an extra layer of clothing or were wearing winter wear.
2.Only two had wood burning stoves which they felt could be adapted to heat up food and water if required.
3.Most had stocked up their freezers, many having done some batch baking and cooking. Three didn`t have a freezer.
4.Shopping varied. A few shopped normally, a few bought less and budgeted more strictly, and several were dreading winter as felt finances were going to become tighter, especially at Xmas. Those with children worried most.
5. Many of the people I asked were on benefits of some sort, especially the elderly.
6.A few were walking much more to work or to shop (and using the usefulness of home deliveries), and were finding that they were saving money and also feeling fitter.
7. I was interested to know if their social lives had been affected by having less money.
8. The younger age groups felt that they didn`t go out much. A few young mums met up in each other`s houses. Family meals out or meeting friends for coffee or lunch had been cut back or in a few cases stopped altogether.
9. The older generation went out much more. In some cases it was to save on heating. They attended lunch clubs and communal events, both for company and the food and heat provided. This also helped mental health as often other activities were provided.
10. The older generation also took to hobbies at home such as knitting and crochet. This is not only an activity which passes the time but is useful in producing items which can help keep warm.The males were finding it harder to occupy their time.
Six people attended classes for yoga, pilates, tai chi or exercise.
Two people had taken up painting since Covid and were continuing .
One person had taken up singing.
My overall assessment was that far from being depressed, most of the people I spoke to were rather philosophical about it all.
They were doing their best to deal with a difficult situation but were finding ways around it.
The elderly were the most surprising as they had been used to a frugal way of life when they were young so understood how to budget, make the most of food and how to economize on many things. They also had a better mind set as to how to deal with hardship.They felt they could endure tough times although were fearful of running out of money.
I did have concerns for the elderly males. They did not possess the resourcefulness or budgeting skills of the females, or be so socially involved with activities or hobbies. They would be appear to be more at risk for physical and mental health issues during a long winter.
As many lived alone and without nearby family, company was very much appreciated.
Fortunately everyone was ambulant. I.e. no one was housebound and everyone seemed seemed reasonably healthy.
It would be an entirely different matter for someone not in that category. Such a situation would require monitoring and provision of support where appropriate.
This was not a formal survey but just a random collection of views.
We are being programmed from all directions to be depressed and anxious, but it shows that with a good mind set and some common sense, we can weather the storm.
There are of course many who simply fall through the net.
People with health and mobility issues must have heat to keep warm.
Babies and young children also need to be kept warm and fed.
Where possible, areas of draught and poor insulation should be blocked up or screened off such as heavy curtains at a draughty window.
Food must be available.
Heating sources should be working efficiently and time of heating appropriate.
Adequate money should be available to cover extra energy costs for any necessary medical equipment.
Clothing should be adequate and warm, preferably layered.
Relatives and neighbours should make sure that vulnerable people are supported and known to appropriate services.
Provision of meals for those who are unable to cook or access food should be available, such as variations of mobile meal delivery services, funded by local authorities, charities or multi agencies.
A great deal of how everyone progresses through the winter depends on many variables such as the weather, the the instances of winter ailments, and of course Covid which is still very much with us.
Let`s all try and stay as mentally and physically fit as we can and look for the brightness which will come out of the darkness.
Opt In for for updates!