The pandemic meant that Upbeat Communities could no longer pack rooms full of people for English lessons. We could no longer eat meals together, take trips in the minibus and walk in the countryside. We could no longer share two-for-one pizza deals on Tuesdays, no longer share Danish pastries, no longer get to know each other in person.

After the initial shock that Covid-19 would be here for some time, our classes were cancelled. Silent empty rooms full of bleak uncertainty became the new normal.

Then we went online. Zoom was the thing that would allow us to continue to hold lessons. We sent out messages asking who in Derby would like to be kept up-to-date via a Whatsapp group. Friends told friends, and at the time of writing, six hundred and fifty people had signed up for updates.

Updates were sent about the importance of handwashing, wearing a face mask and social distancing. Messages were sent to dispel rumours and vaccine hesitancy and how you could have your injection. Information was shared about the recent changes to support for asylum seekers.

Along with information we also sent pictures and videos. Photos were sent back and forth of traditional food, what we had for dinner, the local park we had taken exercise in that day. Pictures of flowers, sunsets, rain, snow and occasional sun, city centres even a rhino in a wildlife park. Videos were sent just to say hi, how are you, and you have not been forgotten.

A beautiful photo of Alvaston Park taken by an Upbeat participant, who sent it in via Whatsapp.

We began to add other activities to our Zoom timetable. English through the Bible on Mondays. Conversation class on Tuesdays. On Wednesdays and Fridays there were English classes for beginners and intermediate students. And let’s not forget that the Women’s Support Group went online on Thursdays. Thanks to our wonderful volunteers over 350 sessions were held online between April 2020 and June 2021.

Although we are a charity based in Derby people started attending from all over the UK. Here’s a few places I can remember: Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Coventry, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Leicester, London, Manchester, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Nottingham, Preston, Stoke, Southampton, and Swansea. At one point we even had people in Greece, Iran, The Netherlands and Turkey accessing our lessons. Longstanding members of the dispersed community as well as people who had just arrived were part of our community. People who were isolating in hotels as well as those who were recovering from the virus regularly joined us.

A photo of the sunrise from a participant who joined us from Doncaster.

On busy days over 20 would join us for each session from a wide variety of locations and a wide range of English ability. Some came and went. Some experienced technical difficulties, others didn’t like to show their face on video. Many became regulars and we looked forward to our almost daily catch-ups - even though there wasn’t much to report as restrictions stopped us from doing very much.

To those who joined: we loved meeting and getting to know all of you - from the person in Sheffield who answered questions almost before they were given, to the person in Nottingham who is recovering from a recent operation, to my friend in London who joked that he lived with the Queen. Thank you so much for being part of our lives, you are truly an inspiration. Our lives have been enriched by spending time with you.

A photograph sent in by a participant in Halifax.

Face-to-face sessions have restarted in Derby. It’s strange seeing more than the head and shoulders that were so familiar on Zoom - although its sometimes difficult to recognize the person behind the mask. Upbeat are looking to increase the number and variety of sessions that we offer as well as working on a new summer programme.

If you need lessons - please get in contact! If you are a volunteer - don’t worry, we’ll be in touch soon as you are so vital! If you are a supporter - thanks so much for providing a welcome to people in Derby and sometimes further afield!

— Elliot Cooper, Project Worker & Tutor

Goodbye Zoom, Hello Face-to-Face