Spalding son on what a difference Covid support bubbles have meant to many like his mum

On Saturday (June 13) new ‘support bubbles’ gave a lifeline to many single adults who were able to reunite with family or friends.

The fresh rules mean that people living alone, or single parents with children under the age of 18, can form a support bubble with one other household.

For Anthony Grunwell, of Spalding, whose 88-year-old mum Anne lives alone, it means the world.

He felt that lockdown had taken a real toll on his mum, a normally active lady with lots of energy.

“She lives in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, and has been in lockdown, isolating for 14-15 weeks,” Anthony (62) explained. “My sister, Frances, and her daughter Sophie, who live 40 minutes from her have been over to organise shopping but have not been able to go in the house. She normally comes down here every five to six weeks.”

Anthony is one of six siblings. Anne’s other children live abroad and have all had to cancel their trips over this year because of the pandemic.

Until recently, she still drove her own car. Not being able to go out to town, church, do her usual activities, or visit family due to the coronavirus has been a big blow.

“This has had a tremendous effect on her cognitive skills. I could tell by our phone calls that there were things that were not quite right,” Anthony added.

He was so concerned about his mum and the potential risk to her mental well-being that he made the decision to bring her home last Sunday (June 7).

Since coming home to stay with Anthony, and his partner Marcus Hosier, his mum has been able to have social interaction again.

“She needed cognitive therapy,” he explained. That has included being able to join in with cooking and general jobs around the house. Having face-to-face conversations and travel with Anthony in the car has also helped; and Anne’s dog Ronnie has been able to reunite with the couple’s dog Alfie.