ARU Final Report

34 Care leavers’ experiences of support during the Covid-19 pandemic found it very difficult and felt the impact of the isolation ten times more. I feel like if I’d have still had even just a 10 minute walk or face to face catchup with my social worker or someone important I rely on it would have made the world of difference.” (Q: Female, 18) These reflections from care leavers contributed to feelings of loneliness and being isolated. For example, some talked about how difficult the pandemic has made it to connect and felt that there was not much that could be done to help them feel connected: “Apart from support bubbles and maybe seeing people at work… and Zoom calls and stuff there’s not really many ways you can stay in contact… The only way you could see someone is if you order something and you see the postman for two minutes. It’s literally anyone you can like talk to for a couple of minutes, I think that’s classed as connection.” (FG: Female, 22) “I just think it’s made you seem more alone when you can’t actually just put your coat on and go see someone… Literally, I was working from home since March so I had all my office equipment at home but there was just no work… It just dragged me down quite a lot because I couldn’t do anything apart from sit and watch the computer. Yeah so it’s lonely sort of thing.” (FG: Female, 23) “I don’t really feel like I have coping mechanisms when I feel lonely, I know that I have my family there, but I still feel isolated. I feel I isolate myself more, it feels like I have nothing to wake up for apartfromworkandthereisnopointputtingmake up and that on because I’m not going anywhere.” (FG: ND, ND) “I think it’s quite hard, it’s definitelybeen isolating. Obviouslywe’ve got zoom and everything but it’s just not quite the same. [Before the pandemic], I went through a stage of cutting myself off from everyone, and then I sort of got through that and I started seeing people. But then lockdown hit and that was it.” (FG: Female, 23) The SCLC (2020) found that for those who are living more independently, emotional wellbeing, social isolation, and loneliness are significant factors that have been perpetuated by social and physical distancing restrictions and concerns about the virus spreading, the health of family members and the general uncertainty and lack of control. 4.3.3 Support with feeling connected In the questionnaire, 48.9% of respondents reported receiving support with feeling connected to others . This included the council assisting with getting access to the internet or being given a laptop, which was seen as essential for connecting with people online. However, some young people felt this was not as good as seeing people face-to-face: “Technology is a massive plus. During the pandemic, because at least with my family we facetime all the time… I end up playing a lot of games with them as well and there’s loads of games online. So, it’s not as good as actually being there but it has helped in staying connected at least.” (FG: Male, 18) “I think having access to the internet was a massive thing – just being able to pick up the phone or whatever.” (FG: Female, 23) “I was provided with a laptop which gave me the ability to connect with people.” (Q: Female, 24) “I used social media to stay connected but I didn’t really find it helpful as I prefer to see my family and friends than to video them.” (Q: Female, 22)