How have you adapted to working from home during lockdown?

Terri Hope Marketing Manager talks about how she is coping during lockdown.

Where are you working from now?

Home. The first week I was sat at the breakfast bar but my partner has now made me a desk so I can sit in our lounge and look out of the window. It is a much nicer view!

What has been most difficult about working remotely?

Being separated from my colleagues, I miss the social interaction with them, bouncing ideas off one another and seeing different faces around the office. The general feeling of not being out and about …

What has been your biggest challenge?

My biggest challenge was settling into a new routine. Normally every working day is different for me so settling into a routine being sat at my desk, in my own home with no one around is something I have had to get my head around.

During the first couple of weeks when there was so much information to share there was a huge shift towards on-line and digital marketing.  We were producing useful informative content quickly and sharing online to help our clients and others with their businesses. Some days I felt I couldn’t keep up!

I have really missed organising events, being at events, I miss networking groups, visiting other offices and being out on the road …

When the lockdown started I thought, I need to help myself and find some normality through this … so I registered with the NHS to become a NHS Volunteer Responder.  Through this I volunteered to be a “Check in and Chat Volunteer” which provides short term telephone support to individuals who are at risk of loneliness as a consequence of self-isolation.

I am also working with Chestnut House and once a week I have been delivering groceries and necessary items throughout the Eden Valley. I love it!

These extra voluntary roles have helped me gain the interaction I was missing. CS have been very supportive as they understand how important it is to help and give back to our community especially at a time like this.

Is there anything (work wise) that you wish you had with you?

My highlighter pens … and perhaps my monitor screen. I have been using my Mac.

What has been the most helpful thing you’ve learned?

That Zoom and on-line meetings actually work! I have been using Zoom most days for meetings etc. I also arranged a Friday Fizz with all the ladies in the company via Zoom and I am currently organising a quiz. It is important to keep up the communication between our teams, the firm and others.

What is the first thing you are going to do when you are out of lockdown?

Visit my family and give them the biggest hug! I’ve not seen any of them since the lockdown started as some of my family members are classed as being vulnerable. I feel like it’s been forever and I can’t wait to see them all!