Bradford 101 ages 40-49 on coronavirus pandemic

NEXT: AGES 50-59: 'Praying that my mum would be safe in her care home. She wasn’t'

Prakash Patel, 40, full-time carer during lockdown, from Lidget Green

Because I was a full-time carer for my dad, I had to think positive and think of others. Mentally it did get to me, but I got through it because I had to do. My neighbours, friends, family, they said if you need anything, I was chuffed with that, my dad was happy. That’s how community works, no matter what ethnic minority.

Pictured above, Prakash with his late father

My dad’s matron nurse Eisah from the family practice did a wonderful job by checking on my dad and me on top of that. She didn’t have to look after me. Without her I wouldn’t have pulled through. I would have been right stressed. She was there for me.

Natasha Graves, 41, dance teacher, from Thorpe Edge

Pictured, Natasha's late father Benkt Persson

The pandemic is the hardest time I’ve ever been through. My dance school closed, so finance was a big problem, but my support network of my dance family was gone. My dad sadly passed away in Cyprus alone and we couldn’t be with him. That will haunt me forever. But through it all I had my son by my side, we ate well, we talked, we became best friends, and for that I’m grateful.

Mohammad Shahid, 42, Save the Mothers Trust charity manager, from Barkerend

As a charity we have seen first-hand the huge effect COVID-19 has had on communities across the district. Save the Mothers Trust (SMT) launched its Self-Isolation Support project in early March 2020. The uptake was unprecedented. The service provided food parcels and hot meals to the elderly, the vulnerable, high risk and those self-isolating with symptoms. We have handed out thousands of food packs and hot meals across the district. We also provided a telephone service for the elderly and vulnerable. Some of their stories were heartbreaking. Our volunteers from all backgrounds came together for one purpose – humanity. The show of solidarity was simply beautiful.

Patricia Donnellan, 42, pre-reg Covid nurse, from Bankfoot

In the early days of the pandemic I was juggling the responsibility of family life with being a third year student nurse. I opted in to complete the last 12 weeks of my degree out on the frontline. My title was pre-reg Covid nurse. The responsibilities and decisions I was supported to make were huge. The patients needed oxygen therapy to stabilise their levels. Removing the masks to maintain nutritional status would endanger the patient’s life. It was an emotional and unsettling time for all. It is an experience I will carry with me throughout my nursing career and I am thankful for the support the amazing team of nurses provided at the time.

Sue Baker, 42, Retail Manager, from Bankfoot

2020 – The time I learned to breathe. Really breathe. Taking in a lungful of air and slowly exhaling. Not because I intend to meditate – although it did calm me down when images of people falling to their deaths in the street and bodies everywhere flooded my imagination like a scene from a Stephen King novel. No, it was a combination of a self-test and a relief after finding myself holding my breath for as long as possible when anyone came anywhere near me. Now after wearing face coverings most of the day, there is no better feeling than pointing a naked face to the elements and really breathing.

Matt Henderson, 42, Bradford Council Project Support Officer, from Great Horton

I’m  a single dad, and my two boys, aged five and seven, live with me for half of the week. During the pandemic we have been doing a lot of home schooling while I also work from home. This has been tough for all of us, so lots of time walking and playing outside when possible has been good. We  volunteered to deliver food parcels to refugees and asylum seekers living in Bradford. The boys have been able to keep in touch with friends online and meet up with people social distancing. We managed to go to Scotland in the holidays and they are now at school full time, which is a great routine.

Catherine Simes, 43, Founder of the online Bradford Street Market, from Wibsey

I founded the online Bradford Street Market to support independent businesses when our high streets and town centre were first locked down. The weekly Facebook group market was designed to showcase Bradford’s talented makers, producers and artists. To recreate a community marketplace, where stallholders can connect with customers old and new and shoppers can support Bradford’s local independent businesses and find something special. People have really enjoyed discovering Bradford’s fantastic range of talented indies. Now the online market regularly attracts 5,000 shoppers browsing the stalls. It has brought a bit of fun to a Thursday, with some people saying it’s been the highlight of their week.

Saima Mehboob, 44, Housewife and YouTuber, from West Bowling

I am a mum of three. When school got closed it was hard because the children were asking why we weren’t going to school. They wanted to know why we couldn’t go to parks. Why can’t we see family and friends? Who made coronavirus? What will happen to us? Lots of questions were coming out of their little minds. It was hard for me as a mum, but we got adjusted. When he saw people in masks, my little one asked ‘is everyone scared?’ I kept them busy with different projects – drawing, model making, recycling things etc.

Mike Simmonds, 44, Telegraph & Argus photographer, from Shipley

As a reporter, moments of national disaster like the Covid-19 situation are periods of high activity and excitement. Being on the front step to witness history is an honour. There were visits to witness the heroic staff at the hospital, ambulance crews facing the virus. Seeing, but not photographing, old men in pyjamas, hooked up to oxygen, being wheeled into who knows what. Those faces I see when I close my eyes and I wonder what became of them.

Reyhana Laher, 45, management accountant, from Bradford Moor

I thought it was going to be tough – working from home, not seeing my running buddies, friends and family, not going to the gym, not eating out – but actually I think I adapted rather well. I found a new park to run in, met new people, took a lot more photos, took part in virtual runs, opened my eyes to appreciate nature, took part in photo challenges. I think doing all these things actually improved my mental health.

Jude Greaves-Newall, 46, A&E worker and foster carer, from Apperley Bridge

On March 7, 2020, Mum died from a lung condition. On the morning of her funeral we were told to reduce the numbers to 20 people. This was March 23, 2020 – the day lockdown was announced. Just 33 days later, Dad died in hospital from Covid-19. They were foster carers for 35 years. Ten were at his funeral, and it took place outside. They were carers to my foster sister, a severely disabled 17-year-old. My husband, son and I moved to Mum and Dad’s house and we still live there and are foster carers to my sister. I am back at work on A&E. The grieving has only just started.

Rob Tindall, 47, Funeral Director, Co-op Funeralcare from Ilkley

It has been a tragic time of significant loss and sadness for families. Working in funerals, you are hardwired to provide choices and options for bereaved families to ensure every funeral can be unique in some way. Covid-19 has been a huge challenge to funeral directors, as we strive to make every funeral special while adhering to continually changing regulations. While at times I’ve felt helpless in the face of so much grief, seeing my colleagues’ dedication over the last six months has been incredibly inspiring. I hope that between us we’ve helped to ease some suffering for families in Bradford.

Chris Kemp, 48, Musical Director of All Together Now Community Choirs, from Eldwick

Being told you have to stop doing what you love is never easy. When it’s your livelihood it becomes even harder. As a Musical Director of eight choirs across the region it was a very scary time. Zoom and Facebook became our lifeline and the ‘new norm’. It kept us connected, together, and that support was vital. I’ve learnt that family, community and the sense of belonging mean more than anything through the hardest of times.

Suzanne Watson, 49, Managing Director, from Ilkley

I couldn’t have imagined my term as president of Bradford Chamber of Commerce would be dominated by a pandemic. The team at my PR company includes parents juggling home working and home schooling and Generation Z, who’re told they’re spreading the virus. However, the strength of Bradford’s business community and the individuals within it is a constant comfort & I feel privileged to represent our district’s business resilience at this critical time.

NEXT: AGES 50-59: 'Praying that my mum would be safe in her care home. She wasn’t'

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