Whilst the relaxation of UK lockdown rules has begun, at Fingerprint, we continue to work remotely, in line with the government’s ‘Stay alert’ message.
Working from home during the pandemic has presented many unique challenges. The business has risen to those challenges admirably – a testament to all of our dedicated and hardworking colleagues.
Here’s a rundown of our lockdown experiences so far, including a few things we never expected we’d be doing back when lockdown began.
Shane, Mortgage Advisor
Some things I have accomplished during lockdown so far, include:
- An hour’s exercise every day, walking the dog with my two children first thing in the morning
- A weekly FaceTime quiz with friends
- Every other Sunday, we enjoy a family Bake Off, cooking together and then catching up over Messenger to show off our ‘star bakes’ or sometimes our disasters.
Claire, Senior Paraplanner
Some things that I’ve done in lockdown that I wouldn’t normally do:
- Walked the dogs before work every morning for an hour
- Been on bike rides around the village (I haven’t ridden a bike for about seven years!)
- Painted pebbles to put around the village and painted a rainbow for the window
- Cut my partner’s hair, which looked surprisingly ok
- Cut my own hair, which looked like a mullet
- Taken part in regular Zoom quizzes with my hockey team
- Spent a very enjoyable VE Day sat on our driveway for hours, talking and drinking with neighbours, many of whom we had never met before
- Completed the gardening projects we’d talked about for years: Knocked down a shed, took up the decking, laid AstroTurf, created a vegetable plot, painted the office at the back of the garden, and built a new tortoise area.
I’m looking forward to getting back to work for a rest!
Helen, Relationship Manager
I spent the first few mornings just adjusting to the new normal, waking up early, and joining in with the Joe Wicks keep-fit crowd!
I took myself off for some walks with my husband Andy, discovering places I never knew existed in Cliffe Woods, despite having lived there for more than 30 years. I had previously only been into the woods a handful of times and it was great taking a trip down memory lane, remembering the different routes I’d taken as a child.
I then decided to take up jogging and it’s something I’m still doing now, many weeks later. I take myself around Perry Hill, which sits among the most beautiful fields and landscapes. It makes me feel very privileged to live where I do.
I am also enjoying bike rides with Andy. I’m up to 15 miles which is a huge achievement for me – the last time I rode a bike was as a teenager. It’s been fun and good for the lungs and headspace too.
Lockdown has grounded me, bringing me back to my roots, and reminding me why I love where I live.
I love my garden – its flowers and pottering around. And have enjoyed getting out into the fresh air.
Andy and I have joined in the weekly Clap for Carers, cheering the NHS, the social and care staff, and all those key workers that have been keeping the country going and doing such a great job of looking after the ill and vulnerable.
We have also spoken to our neighbours more than we ever did before. It’s been great to get to know them a little bit and to get through this together.
Saturday nights have become our weekly quiz night with family and friends. They have been a great laugh and brought us closer together as a family. FaceTime calls with our parents, family, and friends have been good fun too.
I have been cooking and baking more which is something I love to do but rarely find time for.
I’ve been reading more too. My most recent read was Becoming by Michelle Obama. It was such a good read and I learned so much about her and what made her who she is today. I’d recommend it highly.
Gareth, Financial Planner
Lockdown has given me plenty of time to get onto the allotment. Lots of clearing brambles and planting.
There have also been lockdown haircuts (courtesy of my wife):
And watching all four seasons of Money Heist: La Casa de Papal on Netflix (subtitled of course).
Ben, Principal Partner
Initially, I struggled with not being able to go to the office, something I had been doing for the past 17 years. But, from the start, I decided to get fitter by walking at least four miles a day, three to four days a week. During my first walk in lockdown I came across this lovely church:
As lockdown began, Emma and I started working on her Nan’s garden. So far, we have managed to complete about 50% of the landscaping.
We have also been taking advantage of the garden when the weather has allowed. The barbecues have been great; so has the outdoor office.
Here I am with the second-ever pizza I made from scratch, baked in my very own pizza oven that Emma bought me for Christmas. The first was mangled but I still ate it. It looked dreadful but tasted awesome!
As lockdown restrictions were lifted, I drove to the Suffolk coast and found this ugly thing:
Sizewell power station was built in the 1960s but actually looks like some Cold War relic.
I also managed to get 900kg of stone into the back of Emma’s X5. I hope I didn’t kill the suspension.
Mark, Operations Director
I have been going for a walk in the afternoon around Hyde Park, Holland Park, and Brompton Cemetery (where some famous films including Goldeneye and Johnny English have been shot).
I have been having WhatsApp video calls with my mum, dad, sister, daughter, and niece – something we have never done before.
As lockdown rules relaxed, I took a disposable BBQ into the countryside and had my first ever BBQ in the country (that I cooked myself).
I’ve watched whole box sets of Friday Night Dinner and Line of Duty, thanks to working from home and not commuting.
I’ve also sent one golf-related WhatsApp message every day of lockdown to my golf mates (right up until the first Saturday that we were able to play again).
