James is one of our learners on our Skills Bridge Programme - we asked him to write a short blog post in his writing class about himself and how he has found and is finding the current lockdown.
My 19th birthday was spent in lockdown in April 2020. What a disappointment I had nothing to look forward to. Better stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives.
This year I wanted to travel overseas. I've never had a holiday abroad and I just wanted to see Paris. But instead we have no freedom to travel and see art elsewhere. All plans on hold. Better stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives.
At the end of a course at Bradford School of Art that I completed led to me looking out of my window at the cherry tree in blossom. Not like David Hockney’s blossoming trees at his French home. No mine, spread over 11 canvases, form just 1 tree. Rush to finish by the deadline date, then not even assessed. What a disappointment with a house full of canvases that no-one would see! Forget them, put them in storage. Collage a rainbow instead for the doctors’ surgery. Better stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives.
I am quite used to my quiet life in a small town. Masking feelings isn’t new to me. Not keen to socialise and nor can others now in this weird new virtual world. Suits me more in a physical world with nature surrounding my cherry tree. Better stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives.
The year I was told to start thinking of my independence, start thinking of my next move. What about university? What about independent living? What about a job? Not ready, not yet, not the right time. Better stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives.
Now it’s 2021 and lockdown number 3. In another 3 months comes my 20th birthday. No more disappointments. Instead new plans to focus on. I will celebrate 20 years of the Caudwell Children’s Charity. I will take the canvases out of storage. I will create more art to help raise funds. I will go to London, but just wait a while until all is clear. Better stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives.
James also recently featured in another article about his amazing artworks, you can check it out here.
We hope everyone is managing to stay safe. The announcement of another National lockdown wasn’t the welcome to the New Year we’d all have preferred however we are able to open our day centre to provide support groups in a similar way to before Christmas and we’re really looking forward to seeing everybody.
Our Skills Bridge Programme is also running but with a virtual timetable in place and open for 1:1 sessions for learners.
We are having to work under government guidelines which means that we won’t be able to run all our sessions but we’ll be in touch if this affects you.
However, if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01423 593719.
